The effect of reserpine on acetylcholine synthesis, choline acetylase and cholinesterase activity

The effect of reserpine on acetylcholine synthesis, choline acetylase and cholinesterase activity. Acta Physiol. Pol. 1975, 26 (1): 55-61. Reserpine-induced changes in ACh content in various tissues of white rats (cerebral cortex and brain stem, stomach, lungs, heart, spleen) and the effects of reserpine on the synthesis, enzymatic breakdown of ACh, and ChAc activity were studied. Reserpine administered subcutaneously caused a singificant rise in ACh content of the cerebral cortex and insignificant rise in the heart and spleen. Reserpine (in a concentration of 0.25 mug/ml) had no effect on ACh synthesis in vitro. Reserpine in vivo increased significantly ACh synthesis in the brain. No effect of reserpine on ChAc and AChE activity was demonstrated.