Red cell acetyl cholinesterase and plasma cholinesterase activity and genetic variants of plasma cholinesterase in northwest Indian adults.
The plasma cholinesterase (PChE) and red cell acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) activities are indicators of exposure to organophosphates. We studied their distribution in unexposed Northwest Indian adults by measuring them in 120 men and 111 women by Ellman's and Kalow's method, respectively. We also determined genetic variability of plasma cholinesterase in 193 subjects (male = 111, female = 82). The mean +/- (SD) AChE levels in population, men and women, were 34.97 +/- 13.66, 35.05 +/- 12.42, 34.88 +/- 14.89 nmol/mg Hb/min, whereas PChE was 0.448 +/- 0.173, 0.435 +/- 0.163, 0.462 +/- 0.183 ku/l, respectively. When compared for sex, no significant difference could be found for red cell AChE and PChE activity. However, on 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) adjusted for age classification, the levels of both AChE and PChE were significantly higher in groups above the age of 30 years as compared to below 30 years (t = 3.08, p < 0.01, t = 2.82, p < 0.05), respectively. Seven genetic variants of PChE could be detected in males, whereas in females 6 genetic variants were found.
Singh
S
S
Department of Internal Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Verma
M
M
Leelamma
C O
CO
Nain
K
K
Goel
R C
RC
Ganguly
N K
NK
Sharma
B K
BK
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000097:blood*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002802:Cholinesterases / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; D002802:Cholinesterases