Association between butyrylcholinesterase activity and low-grade systemic inflammation

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Immunology
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Acetylcholine (ACh) inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokine production.
• Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is the primary plasma enzyme hydrolyzing ACh.
• Previous studies suggest a link between ACh hydrolytic capacity and inflammatory responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between BChE and low-grade systemic inflammation.
• To determine if BChE levels correlate with hsCRP concentrations in patients with varying inflammatory states.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 4,077 patients from Cardiology, Hypertension, and Digestive Medicine Units.
• Classification of patients into low (< 1 mg/L), average (1-3 mg/L), and high (> 3-10 mg/L) hsCRP concentration groups.
• Assessment of correlations between BChE activity, hsCRP levels, and albumin concentrations.

Main Results:

• A positive correlation between BChE and hsCRP was found in males with low inflammation (hsCRP < 1 mg/L).
• A significant negative correlation between BChE and hsCRP was observed in both sexes with higher inflammation (hsCRP > 3 mg/L).
• Consistent positive correlations were noted between BChE activity and albumin concentrations across all patient groups (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

• BChE and albumin are co-produced by the liver.
• These biochemical markers may function as negative acute-phase reactants.
• Serum BChE levels are inversely associated with the degree of subclinical inflammation.