Erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

The activity and the activation energy (25--43 degrees C) of acetylcholinesterase did not differ between erythrocytes from patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and controls. The Hill coefficient for the inhibition of the enzyme activity by fluoride was 1 in both groups. The dose of fluoride for 50% inhibition of the enzyme activity differed between samples prepared in different ways, but not between DMD and controls. The present results suggest that there is no gross abnormality in erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase or its environment in the erythrocyte membrane in DMD.