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Updated: Jul 31, 2026

In vitro Measurements of Tracheal Constriction Using Mice
Published on: June 25, 2012
Choline acetyltransferase activity parallels the pressure gradient in the feline pharyngo-esophageal region
1Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Zablocki VA Medical Center, Milwaukee 53295, USA.
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.
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