Blood human, measuring acetylcholinesterase

The activities of two enzymes have been used as biomarkers of effects for OPs, namely acetylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7) and butyrylcholinesterase, sometimes known as pseudocholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.8). The structure and function of these enzymes has been reviewed. " In humans the former is present in red blood cells and the latter in plasma, but such distribution is not true of all species. In dogs, both enzymes are present in plasma with a ratio of butyrylcholinesterase to acetylcholinesterase of 7 1, while in the rat, plasma cholinesterase activity comprises more acetylcholinesterase with a butyrylcholinesterase to acetylcholinesterase activity of 1 3 in males and 2 1 in females in neither blood compartment are the functions of the enzymes fully understood.Because of the possibility of confusion, the terms plasma cholinesterase and erythrocyte cholinesterase as synonyms for butyrylcholinesterase and acetylcholinesterase are to be deprecated, especially when used of enzymes in animals where serious confusion may result. It is often necessary to look in detail at animal studies to see what activity has been measured in each matrix. In particular, it is necessary to look at the substrate(s) used in the assay together with any inhibitors used. Methods for measuring acetylcholinesterase have been reviewed and acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activities can be measured separately. In almost all cases it is the enzyme activity, rather than protein concentration, that is measured and many of the procedures used are variants of the Ellman method. Correct storage of blood samples is important as reactivation of inhibited enzymes ex vivo can occur. 

Both intensity and length of exposure play important roles in determining the extent of inhibition of NTE in lymphocytes 50% of preexposed values of NTE activity were obtained when measured 3 or 4 weeks after the beginning of DEF exposure. However, there is no direct evidence of a correlation between a high level of lymphocyte NTE inhibition and development of neuropathy in humans. Blood acetylcholinesterase and plasma butyrylcholinesterase levels remained unchanged during the study period. There is no available weight-of-the-evidence summary assessment for DEF as a developmental or reproductive toxin. 

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