• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.330-335
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• 1991

The effects of physostigmine and neostigmine on the parathin induced toxicity were examined in adult female rats. Physostigmine $(100\;{\mu}g/kg,\;ip)$ or neostigmine $(200\;{\mu}g/kg,\;ip)$ inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and cholinesterase (ChE) activities in blood, brain and lung when the enzyme activity was measured 30 min after the treatment. At the doses of two carbamates equipotent on brain AChE, neostigmine showed greater inhibition on peripheral AChE/ChE. The enzyme activity returned to normal in 120 min following the carbamates except in the lung of rats treated with neostigmine. Carbamates administered 30 min prior to parathion (2 mg/kg) antagonized the inhibition of AChE/ChE by parathion when the enzyme activity was measured 2 hr following parathion. Neostigmine showed greater protective effect on peripheral AChE/ChE. The effect of either carbamate on AChE/ChE was not significant 2 hr beyond the parathion treatment. Carbamates decreased the mortality of rats challenged with a lethal dose of parathion (4 mg/kg, ip) either when treated alone or in combination with atropine (10 mg/kg, ip). Lethal action of paraoxon (1.5 mg/ks ip), the active metabolite of parathion was also decreased by the carbamate treatment indicating that the protection was not mediated by competitive inhibition of metabolic conversion of parathion to paraoxon. The results suggest that carbamylation of the active sites may not be the sole underlying mechanism of protection provided by the carbamates.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.231-236
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• 1996

The toxicity of the mixture of diazinon, toxaphene(TOX) and/or endrin was studied in ICR male mice(18-22 g) by oral intubation, in corn oil, daily for up to 14 days. On day 15, the exposure was discontinued and animals were monitored for an additional period of 7 days for the possible reversibility of the toxicity. The body weight gain decreased with the mixtures, as well as with the individual pesticides, during the 14-day period. TOX and TOX containing mixtures significantly increased the liver/body weight ratio. The serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase level increased at 23~374% in diazinon, TOX, and endrin or their mixture group. The cholinesterase(ChE) activity in the serum and brain was inhibited in the animals of the group of diazinon(5, 10 mg/kg) and diazinon(5 mg/kg) containing mixtures. TOX(40, 80 mg/kg) caused initial inhibitory effects on the serum ChE Day 1. but there is little effects on the brain ChE levels. endrin(5,10 mg/kg) results in significantly elevated levels of the serum ChE, with substantial decreases in the brain ChE activity. TOX and TOX containing mixtures decreased the pentobarbital(60 mg /kg, ip., in saline) induced sleep. The effects produced by this pesticides singly, as well as by their mixtures, appeared to be reversible in nature. The toxic effects exhibited by the mixtures of diazinon(5 mf/kg), TOX(40 mg/kg), and /or endrin(5 mg/kg) were found to be the resultant of the effect showed by their components individually.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.119-132
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• 1985

The apparent effectiveness of 1-naphthyl-N-methyl carbamate (carbaryl) against a wide variety of insects motivated the study of its mammalian toxicity. In this toxicological study of carbaryl, mature male rats inhaled carbaryl at a mean concentration of 112mg, 168mg and 224 mg/$m^{3}$ for one hour. After inhalation, pentobarbital sleeping time, Nadph-cytochrome c reductase activity, cytochrome p-450 and protein content in liver microsomes, various tissue residues, cholinesterase inhibition in plasma and histopathological findings at autopsy were observed. The pentobarbital sleeping time was prolonged in rats inhaled with carbaryl for one day while the sleeping time was shortened in the 3 days inhaled group. The changes of cytochrome p-450 content and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity exhibited biphasic response showing the decrease in the one day inhaled group and the increase in the 3 days inhaled group. The marked depression of plasma ChE activity was observed in rats inhaled with carbaryl at 112 mg/$m^{3}$, however no more progressive effect was observed at the higher concentration of the compound. The main observations in histopathological finding were ciliary detachment, epithelial swelling and subepithelial inflammatory cellular infiltration in trachea due to the irritation.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.73-78
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• 2000

We investigated some biochemical properties of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the Bombyx mori larval head. 1% Triton X-100 (v/v) was suitable for extracting AChE from the silkworm larval head but 1 M NaCl was not suitable. PAGE analysis showed a single band of AChE that was detected by histochemical staining using acetylthiocholine as a substrate. AChE was also partially purified with Sepharose 6B and DEAE-cellulose column. Finally, the specific activity of partially purified enzyme solution was 7.6. The study on inhibitor specificity indicated that the enzyme under study was a true cholinesterase (ChE) or AChE. AChE activity was maximum at the substrate concentration of $5{\times}10^{-4}$ M and the excess substrate inhibited the AChE activity. The optimal pH and temperature were pH 7.0-9.0 and 30-35$^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of the Korean Medical Association
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• v.61 no.12
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• pp.758-764
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• 2018

Dementia is a clinical syndrome characterized by a cluster of symptoms and signs that manifest as difficulties in cognitive functions such as memory, psychological and psychiatric changes, and impairments in activities of daily living. As a result of worldwide trends of population aging, dementia has had a huge impact on public health in almost all countries. Disease modification therapies for dementia have not yet been developed. However, pharmacotherapy is essential in patients with dementia to combat delays in their cognitive and functional decline. In this article, we review the current pharmacotherapy for dementia. Three acetylcholinesterase inhibitors-donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine-and memantine are the only medications that have been approved for the treatment of dementia. We present the indications, dose recommendations, side effects, and criteria for National Health Insurance coverage in Korea of these medications for dementia treatment. Although the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in Korea has not approved any medications for managing the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, some antipsychotics and antidepressants have been studied and used clinically for those purposes. Clinicians may consider vitamin E, Ginkgo biloba extract, choline alfoscerate, or omega-3 fatty acids as additional treatment options. Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, estrogen hormone therapy, and statins are not generally recommended for dementia treatment. We believe that our findings will aid clinicians in the treatment of patients with cognitive decline.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.65-69
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• 2021

Donepezil is a cholinesterase inhibitor used extensively to treat Alzheimer disease. The increased cholinergic activity is associated with adverse effects, therefore gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, are common. Hypokalemia is a rare adverse event that occurs in less than 1% of donepezil-treated patients. Although hypokalemia of mild and moderate grade does not present serious signs and symptoms, severe hypokalemia often results in prolonged hospitalization and mortality. Herein, we report a case of hypokalemia developed after the initiation of donepezil therapy for cognitive impairment.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Military Science and Technology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.218-224
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• 2013

Organophosphorus compounds are irreversible inhibitors of cholinesterase enzyme. Exposure causes a progression of toxic signs, including hypersecretion, tremor, convulsion, respiratory distress, epileptiform seizure, brain injuries and death. To protect brain injuries, administration of diazepam as a neuroprotectant is now considered essential for severely exposed nerve agent casualties. However, studies have shown diazepam to provide less than total protection against the neuropathological consequences of nerve agent exposure. In this context, extensive studies have been carried out to find out effective alternative drugs to protect brain from epileptiform seizures induced by organophosphate compounds intoxication. It has been reported that a combination of carbamate and anticholinergic or antiglutamatergic can be a very effective medical countermeasure in dealing with the threat of organophosphorous poisoning. In this study, experimental animals including rats and guinea pigs were implanted with microelectrodes on their brain sculls, and treated with various centrally acting drugs such as physostigmine and procyclidine prior to soman challenge, and then its electroencephalography(ECoG) was monitored to see anticonvulsant effects of the drugs. It was found that seizure activities in ECoG were not always in proportion to clinical signs induced by soman intoxication, and that combinative pretreatment with physostigmine plus procyclidine effectively stopped the seizures induced by organophosphorous poisoning.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.359-367
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• 2020

Neurodegenerative disorders in the elderly are characterized by gradual loss of memory and cognitive function. Oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species is associated with progressive neuronal cell damage and death in Alzheimer's disease, one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders. An edible brown seaweed, Ecklonia cava, contains a variety of biologically active compounds such as phlorotannins. In this study, we comparatively evaluated the total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, and neuroprotective effects of the phlorotannin-rich extract from E. cava (PEEC). The total phenolic content of PEEC and dieckol was 810.8 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g and 996.6 mg GAE/g, respectively. Antioxidant capacity of PEEC was 1,233.8 mg vitamin C equivalents (VCE)/g and 392.1 mg VCE/g determined using ABTS and DPPH assays, respectively, while those of dieckol were 2,238.4 mg VCE/g and 817.7 mg VCE/g. High-performance liquid chromatography results revealed 48.08 ± 0.67 mg dieckol/g of PEEC. PEEC had neuroprotective effects in pheochromocytoma (PC-12) and human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells against H₂O₂- and AAPH-induced oxidative damage, partly due to reduced intracellular oxidative stress. PEEC treatment inhibited acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, these findings suggest that PEEC is a good source of antioxidants and neuroprotective materials.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.47-51
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• 2010

The objective of this study was to understand changes of plasma metabolites, hormones, and mRNA level of cytoplasmic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK-C) in liver in spontaneous clinical ketosis; 10 clinically ketotic cows and 10 healthy cows were chosen from the same dairy farm. Eleven blood parameters and liver fat content were measured in all cows, and mRNA levels of PEPCK-C in liver were measured by semi-quantitative reverse transcription (RT) polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In ketotic cows, concentration of plasma glucose decreased (p<0.01), concentration of plasma nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) and $\beta$-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) increased (p<0.01), liver fat content (18.8% wet weight) and activity of plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) increased (p<0.01), but concentration of plasma total bilirubin (TBIL), $\gamma$-glutamyl transpeptidase ($\gamma$-GT), and cholinesterase (CHE) increased (p>0.05). In addition, concentration of plasma insulin decreased (p<0.05), concentration of plasma glucagons decreased (p>0.05), and mRNA level of PEPCK-C in liver increased (p<0.05). It is concluded that the adaptative changes of metabolites, hormones, and mRNA level of PEPCK-C in ketotic cows were in favor of the enhancement of gluconeogenesis, the decrease of fat mobilization and the relief of ketosis, but these were still inadequate to relieve ketosis.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.421-426
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• 2013

Several studies have shown the mechanisms and importance of immune responses against Toxoplasma gondii infection and the notable role of cholinesterases in inflammatory reactions. However, the association between those factors has not yet been investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in blood and lymphocytes and the activity of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in serum of rats experimentally infected with T. gondii during the acute phase of infection. For that, an in vivo study was performed with evaluations of AChE and BChE activities on days 5 and 10 post-infection (PI). The activity of AChE in blood was increased on day 5 PI, while in lymphocytes its activity was enhanced on days 5 and 10 PI (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed between groups regarding to the activity of BChE in serum. A positive (P<0.01) correlation was observed between AChE activity and number of lymphocytes. The role of AChE as an inflammatory marker is well known in different pathologies; thus, our results lead to the hypothesis that AChE has an important role in modulation of early immune responses against T. gondii infection.