Change in serum cholinesterase activity in Jamaican diabetics

This study investigates the alteration of serum cholinesterase levels in diabetics and its possible relationship to blood glucose, insulin, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels. Fourteen phasic insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients were compared with 10 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, 10 noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and 10 normal controls. Each group was matched for age, sex, body mass index, and duration of diabetes. Mean age was 56.7 +/- 2.5 years; mean body mass index, 24.0 +/- 0.8 kg/m2; and mean duration of diabetes, 14.2 +/- 2.2 years. Serum acetylcholinesterase, insulin, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels as well as fasting blood sugar were all assayed using standard techniques. Results suggest an associated increase of serum acetylcholinesterase with triglyceride levels in diabetics and may point to a possible association between increased serum acetylcholinesterase and vascular complications in Jamaican diabetics.