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The role of cholinesterases in chagas disease

H F Seabra1, A C Campello2, E F G Chagas3

  • 1Department of Clinical Pathology, Marília Medical School, Marília, SP 17519-030, Brazil.

Parasitology International
|August 27, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Cholinesterases, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), play roles in inflammation. In Chagas disease, AChE activity was unchanged, while BChE levels influenced AChE activity.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Immunology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) are enzymes that hydrolyze acetylcholine (ACh).
  • Cholinesterases are implicated in immune responses and inflammation beyond their role in neurotransmission.
  • Previous research indicated decreased BChE levels in chronic Chagas disease patients with mega syndromes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the activity of AChE in Chagas disease patients.
  • To determine the influence of BChE levels on AChE activity in Chagas disease.

Main Methods:

  • Enzyme activity assays for AChE.
  • Analysis of AChE activity in relation to the 1057C>A ACHE polymorphism.
  • Correlation analysis between BChE levels and AChE activity.

Main Results:

  • AChE activity did not differ between Chagas disease patients and controls.
  • The presence of the 1057C>A ACHE polymorphism did not affect AChE activity.
  • Elevated BChE levels were found to modestly influence AChE activity in Chagas disease patients.

Conclusions:

  • AChE activity is not altered in Chagas disease, irrespective of a specific genetic polymorphism.
  • BChE levels show a modest influence on AChE activity in the context of Chagas disease.
  • These findings contribute to understanding the non-classical roles of cholinesterases in disease pathology.

Keywords:
AcethylcholinesteraseButyrylcholinesteraseChagas disease

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