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Neural control of skeletal muscle cholinesterase: a study using organ-cultured rat muscle.

1. It has been proposed that the influence of innervation on the cholinesterase activity (ChE) of skeletal muscle and on end-plate ChE in particular is mediated by trophic substance(s) moved by axonal transport and released from nerve. We have tested this hypothesis using rat extensor digitorum longus (e.d.l.) and diaphragm muscles denervated in vitro for several days and then maintained in organ culture to assay putative trophic substance(s). 2. The cholinesterase activity (ChE) of rat extensor digitorum longus (e.d.l.) muscles decreased dramatically after 5 days of denervation in vivo as previously reported. The ChE of rat e.d.l. muscles denervated in vivo for 3 days and then maintained in organ culture for 2 days was essentially identical to that of muscles denervated 5 days in vivo. 3. The ChE OF E.D.L. MUSCLES DENERVATED IN VIVO FOR 3 DAYS AND THEN MAINTAINED FOR 2 DAYS IN CULTURE MEDIUM SUPPLEMENTED WITH SCIATIC NERVE OR INNERVATED MUSCLE EXTRACT WAS SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN THAT OF MUSCLES DENERVATED IN VIVO FOR 5 DAYS OR DENERVATED IN VIVO FOR 3 DAYS AND THEN CULTURED FOR 2 DAYS IN CULTURE MEDIUM ALONE. Supplementing the culture medium with brain or spinal cord extract also significantly increased the ChE of organ-cultured e.d.l. muscles. 4. Supplementing the culture medium with liver or spleen extract or with the extract of muscle denervated for 3--7 days in vivo before extraction did not increase the ChE or organ-cultured e.d.l. muscles. 5. The effect of muscle extract on the ChE of organ-cultured e.d.l. muscles was dose dependent and occurred gradually reaching a maximum after approximately 24 h of culture. 6. Substance(s) which increased the ChE of organ-cultured e.d.l. muscles were found to accumulate in transected sciatic nerve in the region just proximal to the site of transection where substances moved by axonal transport are known to accumulate. 7. Media conditioned with neurally stimulated e.d.l. or diaphragm muscles caused a substantial and highly significant increase in the ChE of e.d.l. or diaphragm muscles denervated in vivo and then maintained in organ culture. Media conditioned in the same way with unstimulated muscles did not increase the ChE OF ORGAN-CULTURED MUSCLES. 8. The active substance(s) released by neural stimulation continued to be released when muscle contraction was blocked by adding D-tubocurarine to the medium during conditioning but the release of these substance(s) was significantly reduced when magnesium (10mM) was added to the medium during conditioning. 9 The substance(s) released by neural stimulation selectively increased ChE in the end-plate region. In diaphragm segments denervated in vivo and then maintained in medium conditioned with neurally stimulated muscle, there was a 102% increase in end-plate ChE but no detectable increase in background ChE. 10...

Animals↗

In vivo development of cholinesterase at a neuromuscular junction in the absence of motor activity in Xenopus laevis.

Embryos of Xenopus laevis were selected prior to the onset of innervation and were raised for 2 days in the anaesthetic tricaine methanesulphonate (200 micrograms/ml). The gross development of these tricaine-reared animals appeared normal despite the absence of spontaneous motor activity and the lack of motor responses to prodding with a pin. Motor activity quickly appeared when the anaesthetic was withdrawn. Intracellular recording from the myotomes of intact, tricaine-maintained animals failed to reveal any spontaneous muscle action potentials. Synaptic potentials increased in frequency and amplitude upon withdrawing tricaine, but resting potentials remained unchanged. Cholinesterase activity, detected histochemically, was observed at the ends of the myotomes, the main site of innervation. The intensity of the histochemical reaction product at these sites appeared to be about as great in the myotomes of tricaine-reared animals as in control myotomes. Miniature end-plate currents (m.e.p.c.s), examined by focal external recording, declined with a time constant of 2.9 +/- 0.2 ms (mean +/- S.E. of mean) in the myotomes of tricaine-reared animals (stages 40-41). The time constants in the myotomes of control animals were 1.8 +/- 0.1 ms at stages 40-41 and 8.7 +/- 0.7 ms at stages 24-26 (shortly after the onset of innervation). The anticholinesterase neostigmine doubled m.e.p.c. time constants in the myotomes of tricaine-reared animals as well as in control myotomes at stages 40-41. It is concluded that motor activity is not required for the in vivo development of physiological levels of synaptic cholinesterase in Xenopus myotomal muscle.

Aminobenzoates↗

Nerve trophic function: in vitro assay of effects of nerve tissue on muscle cholinesterase ctivity.

The effects of tissue explants and nerve homogenates on cholinesterase activity of muscle of the newt Triturus in organ culture were measured. Sensory ganglia, ganglia separated from muscle by a Millipore filter, spinal cord, liver, and nerve homogenates produced greater activity of muscle cholinesterase than occurred in untreated muscle cultured for the same period of time. Boiled ganglia, kidney, oviduct, and spleen were ineffective. This procedure serves as a convenient bioassay for a neurotrophic process and indicates that the trophic effect is mediated by a diffusible chemical substance produced by nerves.

Animals↗

Paraoxon: effects on rat brain cholinesterase and on growth hormone and prolactin of pituitary.

Cholinesterase activity of brain and content of growth hormone and prolactin in the pituitary were compared after short-term (3 days) and long-term (14 days) treatment with paraoxon in male and female rats. Within 3 days cholinesterase activity was reduced to between 5 and 15 percent of that in controls. The content of growth hormone in the pituitary was increased in long-term experiments by 50 percent. This increase in paraoxon-treated animals-suggests a possible role of a cholinergic mechanism in the regulation of growth hormone secretion.

Animals↗

New allele at cholinesterase locus 1.

A family (H-J pedigree) segregating for the A and F alleles at cholinesterase locus 1 is described. Apparent anomalous results led to the recognition of a new allele (E1j) also segregating in the family. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that the the E1j causes reduction of 'usual' (E1u) molecules by about 66%. Whether this is because of retarded synthesis or accelerated degradation of serum cholinesterase remains to be determined.

Alleles↗

E1k, another quantitative variant at cholinesterase locus 1.

Two families segregating for the atypical (E1a) allele at cholinesterase locus 1 are described. Unusual results for dibucaine inhibition led to the recognition of a new allele (E1k) also segregating in these families. The enzymatic and immunological data are consistent with the hypothesis that E1k causes reduction of 'usual' (E1u) molecules by about 33%. Whether the reduction of E1u caused by E1k is caused by retarded synthesis or accelerated degradation of serum cholinesterase remains to be determined.

Cholinesterases↗

Cholinesterase variants: rapid characterisation by PCR/SSCP and evidence for molecular homogeneity.

We have applied the technique of PCR-SSCP (polymerase chain reaction-single stranded conformation polymorphism) to characterise the molecular basis of cholinesterase deficiency and variants in a Jordanian family. PCR-SSCP proved to be a quick and sensitive method of screening cholinesterase variants in a clinical setting. An AG insertion at position 351 was found to cause a silent allele, for which the parents were heterozygous and three children homozygous. In addition, the father and two sons were heterozygous for an A to G transition at position 209, known to cause the dibucaine resistant variant. No linkage to the K variant was found, which has been reported previously in white populations. These findings suggest considerable homogeneity in the molecular basis of CHE variants between different ethnic groups.

Adult↗

Size of the treatment effect on cognition of cholinesterase inhibition in Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND: Six cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) have been tested in people with Alzheimer's disease, using methods currently required for regulatory approval. The clinical importance of their treatment effects is controversial. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether cholinesterase inhibition produces treatment effects in Alzheimer's disease that are large enough to be clinically detectable. METHODS: Overview analysis of published trials of ChEIs in which the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog) and a global clinical measure were primary outcomes. Two quantitative summary measures of the treatment effect (Cohen's d and the standardised response mean (SRM)) were calculated and presented as funnel plots. Observed cases analyses and intention to treat (ITT) with the last observation carried forward (LOCF) analyses were compared. RESULTS: The median Cohen's d effect sizes (ES) using ITT samples with LOCF for the ADAS-Cog were: low dose of a ChEI (n = 8 studies) median ES = 0.15, range = 0.03-0.22; medium dose (n = 13) median ES = 0.23, range = 0.12-0.29; high dose (n = 9) median ES = 0.28, range = 0.01-0.31. In general, the ES were larger when calculated as SRMs (for example, high dose ChEI studies, median SRM = 0.47; range = 0.30-0.63) and highest in the observed cases analyses (for example, high dose median SRM = 0.56, range = 0.35-0.78). Global clinical scales produced similar estimates of ES (for example, high dose ChEI, ITT/LOCF median Cohen's d = 0.29, range = 0.20-0.47). CONCLUSIONS: ChEIs produce small-moderate effect sizes in clinical trials which are reproducible and demonstrate a dose response. Better descriptions of the patterns of treatment response are needed to guide individual patient decisions about the effectiveness of treatment, but group effects are evident and appear large enough to be clinically detectable.

Alzheimer Disease↗

CSF monoamine metabolites, cholinesterases and lactate in the adult hydrocephalus syndrome (normal pressure hydrocephalus) related to CSF hydrodynamic parameters.

Monoamine metabolites, cholinesterases and lactic acid in lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were investigated on patients with the adult hydrocephalus syndrome (idiopathic normal pressure syndrome; AHS, n = 15), Alzheimer's disease (AD, n = 14), multi-infarct dementia (MID, n = 13) and controls (n = 21). Patients had clinical and CSF hydrodynamic investigations. Monoamine concentrations were determined by reversed-phase liquid chromatography, cholinesterases and lactate were determined photometrically. In the AHS patients, CSF monoamine concentrations were not significantly different compared with controls, AD or MID patients. AHS and AD patients showed a similar reduction of CSF acetylcholinesterase activity compared with controls. Positive correlations were found in concentrations of CSF homovanillic acid, CSF 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid and CSF lactic acid versus CSF outflow conductance (that is, resistance against CSF outflow) in the AHS patients. A similar pattern was observed in a subgroup of MID patients characterised by dilated ventricles and disturbed CSF hydrodynamics. These data suggest that a low CSF outflow conductance may facilitate the clearance of acidic substances from the arachnoid space at the probenecid sensitive active transport site. Alternative explanations would be that a pathologically low CSF outflow conductance is accompanied by an inverse caudorostral flow of CSF or a compromised trans-ependymal diffusion.

Aged↗

Repeatability and validity of a field kit for estimation of cholinesterase in whole blood.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate a spectrophotometric field kit (Test-Mate-OP) for repeatability and validity in comparison with reference laboratory methods and to model its anticipated sensitivity and specificity based on these findings. METHODS: 76 farm workers between the age of 20 and 55, of whom 30 were pesticide applicators exposed to a range of organophosphates in the preceding 10 days, had blood taken for plasma cholinesterase (PCE) and erythrocyte cholinesterase (ECE) measurement by field kit or laboratory methods. Paired blinded duplicate samples were taken from subgroups in the sample to assess repeatability of laboratory and field kit methods. Field kits were also used to test venous blood in one subgroup. The variance obtained for the field kit tests was then applied to two hypothetical scenarios that used published action guidelines to model the kit's sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: Repeatability for PCE was much poorer and for ECE slightly poorer than that of laboratory measures. A substantial upward bias for field kit ECE relative to laboratory measurements was found. Sensitivity of the kit to a 40% drop in PCE was 67%, whereas that for ECE was 89%. Specificity of the kit with no change in mean of the population was 100% for ECE and 91% for PCE. CONCLUSION: Field kit ECE estimation seems to be sufficiently repeatable for surveillance activities, whereas PCE does not. Repeatability of both tests seems to be too low for use in epidemiological dose-response investigations. Further research is indicated to characterise the upward bias in ECE estimation on the kit.

Adult↗

Symptoms and cholinesterase activity among rural residents living near cotton fields in Nicaragua.

OBJECTIVES: To explore whether symptoms resulted from pesticide spray drift on residentially exposed populations in rural Nicaragua. METHODS: 100 residents, each 10 years of age or older, were randomly selected from a Nicaraguan community surrounded by actively sprayed cotton fields (the exposed community) and from a socioeconomically similar community far from agricultural spraying (the control community). Subjects working with pesticides were excluded, and the study was conducted at the end of the 1990 cotton spraying season (August-December). Demographic information, exposure questions, and prevalence of 11 acute symptoms and 17 chronic symptoms were gathered from a structured interview. Finger stick erythrocyte cholinesterase (AChE) was measured with a portable colorimeter. Acute symptoms were grouped according to their previously known associations with cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitors into four ordinal categories (asymptomatic, non-specific, possible, probable). RESULTS: Residents from the exposed community were significantly more likely to report recently sighting a spray plane near their community, exposure to pesticide from drift, crossing recently sprayed fields, eating home grown food, and feeling ill after drift exposure. The mean AChE value was significantly lower for residents of the exposed community (4.9 v 5.3 IU/dl). The proportion of subjects complaining of one or more chronic or acute symptoms was significantly higher for the exposed community (87%) than for the controls (53%). Odds ratios for residents in the exposed community, by symptom categories, were non-specific 1.6 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0-8 to 3.2), possible 4.1 (95% CI 1.7 to 10.2), and probable 9.93 (95% CI 2-9 to 34.4). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate a strong association between exposure to aerial pesticides and symptoms. This study should be replicated with more quantitative exposure measures, for if confirmed, the results have relevance for millions in rural communities worldwide.

Acute Disease↗

Acetylcholinesterase and nonspecific cholinesterase activities in rat liver: subcellular localization, molecular forms, and some extraction properties.

Subcellular distribution and some extraction properties of acetylcholinesterase (AchE) (EC 3.1.1.7) and nonspecific cholinesterase (ChE) (EC 3.1.1.8) were studied in rat liver employing subcellular fractionation techniques. All purified subcellular fractions were enriched in total cholinesterase activity over the homogenate. Plasma membrane and Golgi fractions showed a significant enrichment in AchE activity, while ChE activity was enriched in both rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Subcellular fractions were subjected to conditions that selectively release proteins having varying degrees of association to membranes. High-pH treatment (known to release peripheral and soluble proteins) extracted ChE activity, but more than 90% of AchE activity remained associated to the pellet. Solubility properties and molecular forms of AchE and ChE in this tissue were studied by extraction in high-salt medium with and without Triton X-100, followed by velocity sedimentation centrifugation. Most of AchE activity (88%) (41% G4 and 59% G2 + G1) was detergent soluble; 42% of ChE activity (detected only as G2 + G1) was high-salt soluble, whereas remaining ChE activity was detergent soluble. These results indicate not only a different subcellular location for both enzymes, but also point to a differential association to membranes. AchE behaves as an integral membrane protein and ChE behaves as a peripheral or a luminal soluble protein.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Economic analysis of galantamine, a cholinesterase inhibitor, in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease in the Netherlands.

BACKGROUND: The economic impact of dementia on the Dutch health and social services is substantial. OBJECTIVE: To predict the long-term economic impact of galantamine, a cholinesterase inhibitor, in the treatment of Dutch patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. METHOD: A pharmacoeconomic model was used to predict long-term outcomes. It has two components: an initial module based on clinical trials of galantamine and a subsequent module that predicts when a patient will deteriorate to a level where full time care (FTC) is needed. The analyses take a broad perspective that includes all formal (paid) care, not just those covered by the Dutch health care system. Direct cost estimates were based on resource use profiles of patients with Alzheimer's disease in the Netherlands. Key inputs were tested in sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: After 10.5 years all patients are predicted to require FTC. For every hundred patients starting treatment on galantamine at the mild to moderate stage, it is predicted that 18 person-years of FTC will be avoided (14.4 discounted) and about 5 quality-adjusted years of life will be gained (3.9 discounted). Net savings for those starting treatment with galantamine are estimated at NLG 3,050 (1,676 UDS). The cost of galantamine accounts for only about 5.0% of the total cost of care for treated Alzheimer's patients. The direction of these results remained unchanged when input values and assumptions were tested in sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS: The cholinesterase inhibitor galantamine is expected to bring savings in the direct cost of caring for patients with Alzheimer's disease in the Netherlands.

Alzheimer Disease↗

Ginkgo biloba compared with cholinesterase inhibitors in the treatment of dementia: a review based on meta-analyses by the cochrane collaboration.

Data were derived from the Cochrane Collaboration meta-analyses of the efficacies of ginkgo, donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine on changes in cognitive function in patients with dementia and, where necessary, were transformed to standardized mean differences. The proportion of patients discontinuing trials was used as a proxy measure of tolerability. Outcomes were assessed after 6 months of treatment. Trial data for cholinesterase inhibitors were more consistent than those for ginkgo, particularly regarding patient populations and outcome measures. Significant benefits on cognition vs. placebo were seen with donepezil, 5 and 10 mg, rivastigmine, 6-12 mg, and galantamine, 16 and 24 mg. Significant benefit vs. placebo with ginkgo was seen only when all doses were pooled. Similar proportions of patients discontinued treatment with ginkgo and placebo. Cholinesterase inhibitors were also well tolerated, although a significantly greater proportion of patients receiving active treatment discontinued vs. placebo with some doses. An evidence-based medicine approach, taking into account the quality of clinical trials, is essential when assessing the safety and efficacy of medications.

Aged↗

Cholinesterase inhibitor affects the amyloid precursor protein isoforms in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

An altered platelet ratio of amyloid precursor protein (APP) isoforms might be a diagnostic, predictive, or therapeutic marker for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our purpose was to test the hypothesis that this ratio might serve as a therapeutic marker for AD patients treated with the cholinesterase inhibitor, galantamine. Thirty-nine patients (mean age 76.6 +/- 9.4 years) with AD were treated with galantamine for 12 weeks. Patients were evaluated at baseline, 4 and 12 weeks by cognitive testing along with a determination of their platelet APP isoform ratio. Western blotting was performed to calculate the APP isoform ratio. At the end of the treatment, cognitive scores significantly improved, and the ratio of the high-molecular-weight (130 kDa) isoform to the low-molecular-weight (110-106 kDa) isoforms increased. These results suggest that cholinesterase inhibition might be involved in APP processing.

Aged↗

Relationship between the temperature and endocrine changes induced by cholinesterase inhibitors.

Cholinesterase inhibitors induce changes in plasma hormones in the rat. Since these compounds induce hypothermia the question has been raised as to whether the endocrine responses are secondary to the fall in core temperature. The time course of the changes in temperature and plasma levels of corticosterone, growth hormone and prolactin have been examined following injection of diisopropylphosphofluoridate (DFP), soman or physostigmine. All three cholinesterase inhibitors caused an initial rise in corticosterone; DFP decreased growth hormone; physostigmine reduced prolactin. The time course of the hypothermia after DFP and soman did not correlate with that of the rise in corticosterone. The data do not suggest that the hormone changes are secondary to the temperature change.

Animals↗

Neurohistological and histochemical observations on the lung of Francolinus pondicerianus (gray partridge or safed teeter) as revealed by the cholinesterase technique.

An investigation was undertaken to demonstrate the neural elements of the lung of Francolinus pondicerianus, from the point of view of neurohistology and histochemistry. The staining of the neural elements was done by the cholinesterase technique with a maintained pH of 5.2, temperature 40 degrees C and incubation period of 19 h. Distribution of nerves in association with bronchial cartilage, pulmonary vessels and bronchi has been described and discussed. The distribution of the ganglia in association with blood vessels, bronchi, cartilage, various plexuses and the neural terminal terminal network has also been described. The innervation of the bronchi and their branches, and formation of the neural terminal network has been studied, as well as the distribution of cholinesterase in bronchi, blood vessels, muscles, ganglia, and nerve fibres.

Acetylcholinesterase↗