ISSN:
1432-1041
Keywords:
Key words Cystic fibrosis
;
Esterases
;
Drug metabolism
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Objectives: To determine the effect of an exacerbation of respiratory symptoms in cystic fibrosis (CF) on the activities of plasma benzoylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. Methods: Twenty-nine patients with CF in a respiratory exacerbation and 27 healthy volunteers matched for age and sex were recruited. Blood was obtained from the patients when commencing antibiotic treatment and 14 days later on completion of treatment. One blood sample was taken from the healthy volunteers. The activities of benzoylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase were determined by spectrophotometric assay. The circulating inflammatory markers, C-reactive protein and neutrophil elastase-α1antiproteinase complex were also measured. Results: Benzoylcholinesterase activity was significantly (P = 0.001) lower in patients at the start of a respiratory exacerbation, compared with healthy controls [mean (SD): 917 (274) versus 1191(298) nmol · ml−1 · min−1]. Benzoylcholinesterase activity increased significantly in patients to 1013 (237) nmol · ml−1 · min−1, following a course of antibiotic treatment (P = 0.006). Butyrylcholinesterase activity was also lower (P = 0.001) in patients at the start of a respiratory exacerbation, compared with healthy controls [5.54 (1.64) versus 7.01 (1.79) μmol · ml−1 · min−1], and increased significantly in the patients to 6.31 (1.58) μmol · ml−1 · min−1 following treatment (P = 0.006). Conclusion: We demonstrated significant suppression of plasma esterase activities during an exacerbation of respiratory symptoms in CF, which was only partially reversed after antibiotic treatment. Further studies are needed to examine other pathways of drug metabolism in this group of chronically infected patients.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s002280050578
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