title: Alterations of ectonucleotidases and acetylcholinesterase activities in lymphocytes of Down syndrome subjects: relation with inflammatory parameters.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Subjects with Down syndrome (DS) have an increased susceptibility to infections and autoimmune disorders. ATP, adenosine, and acetylcholine contribute to the immune response regulation, and NTPDase, adenosine deaminase (ADA) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) are important enzymes in the control of the extracellular levels of these molecules. We evaluated the activities of these enzymes and the cytokine levels in samples of DS individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  The population consisted of 23 subjects with DS and 23 healthy subjects. Twelve milliliters of blood was obtained from each subject and used for lymphocyte and serum preparation. Lymphocytes were separated on Ficoll density gradients. After isolation, NTPDase and AChE activities were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The NTPDase activity using ADP as substrate was increased in lymphocytes of DS patients compared to control (P<0.05); however, no alterations were observed in the ATP hydrolysis. An increase was observed in the AChE activity in lymphocytes and in ADA activity in serum of DS patients when compared to healthy subjects (P<0.05). In DS subjects, an increase in the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ and a decrease in the IL-10 levels were also observed (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Alterations in the NTPDase, ADA and AChE activities as well changes in the cytokine levels may contribute to immunological alterations observed in DS.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica e Bioprospecção, Centro de Ciências Químicas, Farmacêuticas e de Alimentos, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Campus Universitário S/N, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica e Bioprospecção, Centro de Ciências Químicas, Farmacêuticas e de Alimentos, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Campus Universitário S/N, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Debom
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica e Bioprospecção, Centro de Ciências Químicas, Farmacêuticas e de Alimentos, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Campus Universitário S/N, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fabiano
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Soares
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica e Bioprospecção, Centro de Ciências Químicas, Farmacêuticas e de Alimentos, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Campus Universitário S/N, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica e Bioprospecção, Centro de Ciências Químicas, Farmacêuticas e de Alimentos, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Campus Universitário S/N, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jéssica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pureza
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica e Bioprospecção, Centro de Ciências Químicas, Farmacêuticas e de Alimentos, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Campus Universitário S/N, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Peres
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gilberto
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: de Lima Garcias
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica Toxicológica, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Av. Roraima, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marta Frescura
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica Toxicológica, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Av. Roraima, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Rosa Chitolina
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Schetinger
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica e Bioprospecção, Centro de Ciências Químicas, Farmacêuticas e de Alimentos, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Campus Universitário S/N, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Francieli
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Stefanello
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica e Bioprospecção, Centro de Ciências Químicas, Farmacêuticas e de Alimentos, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Campus Universitário S/N, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Elizandra
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Braganhol
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica e Bioprospecção, Centro de Ciências Químicas, Farmacêuticas e de Alimentos, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Campus Universitário S/N, Pelotas, RS, Brazil. Electronic address: rspanevello@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Roselia
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Spanevello
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D017766:Acid Anhydride Hydrolases / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D000243:Adenosine Deaminase / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000201:enzymology*; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; D000243:Adenosine Deaminase; D017766:Acid Anhydride Hydrolases
keywords: Acetylcholinesterase; Adenosine deaminase; Cytokines; Down syndrome; Lymphocytes; NTPDase