Life sciences
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Although anisodamine, a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist, has been used in China for treating various shocks for many years, the mechanisms are not well understood. Our previous studies have demonstrated anisodamine exerts its cholinergic anti-inflammatory action through indirectly activating α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7 nAChR). Because IL-10 is a critical anti-inflammatory factor, we investigated its potential role in the antishock action of anisodamine. ⋯ These findings demonstrate that IL-10 plays an important role in the antishock action of anisodamine. It acts through upregulating α7 nAChR synergistically with anisodamine.