title: Choline acetyltransferase activity parallels the pressure gradient in the feline pharyngo-esophageal region.
abstract: Pressures generated by the pharyngeal constrictor muscles and proximal esophagus involve acetylcholine-induced muscle contractions. We hypothesized that the pharyngo-esophageal pressure gradient is related to choline acetyltransferase activity. In nine anesthetized cats, hypopharyngeal pressure and proximal esophageal pressure were recorded with a solid state transducer assembly. Enzymatic activities in the thyropharyngeus, cricopharyngeus, and proximal esophageal muscles were measured. Hypopharyngeal pressure was higher than the proximal esophagus (p < 0.01), and choline acetyltransferase activity was higher in the cricopharyngeus compared to the proximal esophagus ( p < 0.05). The pressure gradient between the hypopharynx and proximal esophagus may be influenced by the activity of choline acetyltransferase.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Zablocki VA Medical Center, Milwaukee 53295, USA.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Medda
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mustin
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shaker
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Koch
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism*; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology; D004947:Esophagus / Q000294:innervation* / Q000502:physiology; D010614:Pharynx / Q000294:innervation* / Q000502:physiology; D011312:Pressure; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase