Butyrylcholinesterase activity is reduced in haemodialysis patients: is there association with hyperhomocysteinemia and/or oxidative stress?
OBJECTIVE
To quantify serum butyrylcholinesterase activity in haemodialysis patients and to evaluate if the homocysteine levels and/or oxidative stress biomarkers have an effect on butyrylcholinesterase.


METHODS
Blood samples were collected from patients and healthy subjects (control). The plasma homocysteine and TBARS levels; serum butyrylcholinesterase activity; blood delta aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALA-D) activity and methahaemoglobin were analyzed. The mortality of the patients was also evaluated after 3 years.


RESULTS
The homocysteine was increased and butyrylcholinesterase decreased compared to control (p<0.05). TBARS and methahaemoglobin were increased and ALA-D decreased (p<0.05). The following correlations were found: homocysteine with butyrylcholinesterase (-0.44); methahaemoglobin (0.41); ALA-D (-0.68); and TBARS (0.66). The partial correlation between homocysteine with butyrylcholinesterase, withdrawn the effect of TBARS, was -0.30; all p<0.05. Moreover, it was observed that 22% of the patients died due to cardiovascular problems.


CONCLUSIONS
Thus, our findings support a direct association between the reduction of butyrylcholinesterase by the increase of homocysteine and an indirect effect by increase in oxidative stress.
Garcia
Solange C
SC
Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. sgarpom@smail.ufsm.br
Wyse
Angela T S
AT
Valentini
Juliana
J
Roehrs
Miguel
M
Moro
Angela M
AM
Paniz
Clóvis
C
Schmitt
Gabriela
G
Grotto
Denise
D
Pomblum
Valdeci J
VJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002091:Butyrylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism*; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology*; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects
D002091:Butyrylcholinesterase