Background. Cholinesterases are a group of serine hydrolases that split the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) and terminate its action. Of the two types, butyrylcholinesterase and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), AChE plays the key role in ending cholinergic neurotransmission. Cholinesterase inhibitors are substances, either natural or man-made that interfere with the break-down of ACh and prolong its action. Hence their relevance to toxicology and pharmacology. Methods and Results. The present review summarizes current knowledge of the cholinesterases and their inhibition. Particular attention is paid to the toxicology and pharmacology of cholinesterase-related inhibitors such as nerve agents (e.g. sarin, soman, tabun, VX), pesticides (e.g. paraoxon, parathion, malathion, malaoxon, carbofuran), selected plants and fungal secondary metabolites (e.g. aflatoxins), drugs for Alzheimer’s disease (e.g. huperzine, metrifonate, tacrine, donepezil) and Myasthenia gravis (e.g. pyridostigmine) treatment and other compounds (propidium, ethidium, decamethonium). Conclusions. The crucial role of the cholinesterases in neural transmission makes them a primary target of a large number of cholinesterase-inhibiting drugs and toxins. In pharmacology, this has relevance to the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

• MeSH
• acetylcholinesterasa farmakologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• Alzheimerova nemoc enzymologie   farmakoterapie   metabolismus   MeSH
• butyrylcholinesterasa farmakologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• cholinesterasové inhibitory farmakologie   terapeutické užití   toxicita   MeSH
• cholinesterasy farmakologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• molekulární struktura MeSH
• myasthenia gravis enzymologie   farmakoterapie   metabolismus   MeSH
• organofosforové sloučeniny toxicita   MeSH
• sarin farmakologie   toxicita   MeSH
• vazebná místa účinky léků   MeSH
• vztahy mezi strukturou a aktivitou MeSH

BACKGROUND: Pharmaceuticals with targets in the cholinergic transmission have been used for decades and are still fundamental treatments in many diseases and conditions today. Both the transmission and the effects of the somatomotoric and the parasympathetic nervous systems may be targeted by such treatments. Irrespective of the knowledge that the effects of neuronal signalling in the nervous systems may include a number of different receptor subtypes of both the nicotinic and the muscarinic receptors, this complexity is generally overlooked when assessing the mechanisms of action of pharmaceuticals. METHODS: We have search of bibliographic databases for peer-reviewed research literature focused on the cholinergic system. Also, we have taken advantage of our expertise in this field to deduce the conclusions of this study. RESULTS: Presently, the life cycle of acetylcholine, muscarinic receptors and their effects are reviewed in the major organ systems of the body. Neuronal and non-neuronal sources of acetylcholine are elucidated. Examples of pharmaceuticals, in particular cholinesterase inhibitors, affecting these systems are discussed. The review focuses on salivary glands, the respiratory tract and the lower urinary tract, since the complexity of the interplay of different muscarinic receptor subtypes is of significance for physiological, pharmacological and toxicological effects in these organs. CONCLUSION: Most pharmaceuticals targeting muscarinic receptors are employed at such large doses that no selectivity can be expected. However, some differences in the adverse effect profile of muscarinic antagonists may still be explained by the variation of expression of muscarinic receptor subtypes in different organs. However, a complex pattern of interactions between muscarinic receptor subtypes occurs and needs to be considered when searching for selective pharmaceuticals. In the development of new entities for the treatment of for instance pesticide intoxication, the muscarinic receptor selectivity needs to be considered. Reactivators generally have a muscarinic M2 receptor acting profile. Such a blockade may engrave the situation since it may enlarge the effect of the muscarinic M3 receptor effect. This may explain why respiratory arrest is the major cause for deaths by esterase blocking.

• MeSH
• cholinesterasové inhibitory farmakologie   MeSH
• interakce mezi receptory a ligandy účinky léků   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• receptory muskarinové účinky léků   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

The objective of this study was to elucidate the pharmacokinetics and metabolite formation of newly developed non-selective AChE/BChE 7-MEOTA-donepezil-like inhibitors for potential therapeutic use in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. The chemical structures of metabolites were defined during incubation with human liver microsomes, and subsequently, the metabolization was verified in in vivo study. In vitro metabolic profiling revealed the formation of nine major metabolites in the case of PC-37 and eight metabolites of PC-48. Hydroxylation and the enzymatic hydrolysis of bonds close to the piperazine ring appeared to be the principal metabolic pathways in vitro. Of these metabolites, M1-M7 of PC-37 and M1-M6 of PC-48 were confirmed under in vivo conditions. Pilot pharmacokinetic experiments in rats were focused on the absorption, distribution and elimination of these compounds. Absorption after i.m. application was relatively fast; the bioavailability expressed as AUCtotal was 28179 ± 4691 min.ng/mL for PC-37 and 23374 ± 4045 min.ng/mL for PC-48. Both compounds showed ability to target the central nervous system, with brain concentrations exceeding those in plasma. The maximal brain concentrations are approximately two times higher than the plasma concentrations. The relatively high brain concentrations persisted throughout the experiment until 24 hr after application. Elimination via the kidneys (urine) significantly exceeded elimination via the liver (bile). All these characteristics are crucial for new candidates intended for AD treatment. The principle metabolic pathways that were verified in the in vivo study do not show any evidence for formation of extremely toxic metabolites, but this needs to be confirmed by further studies.

• MeSH
• Alzheimerova nemoc farmakoterapie   MeSH
• biologická dostupnost MeSH
• cholinesterasové inhibitory chemická syntéza   metabolismus   farmakokinetika   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• hydrolýza MeSH
• hydroxylace MeSH
• jaterní mikrozomy metabolismus   MeSH
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• metabolické sítě a dráhy MeSH
• mozek účinky léků   MeSH
• pilotní projekty MeSH
• piperaziny chemická syntéza   metabolismus   farmakokinetika   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• potkani Wistar MeSH
• takrin analogy a deriváty   chemická syntéza   metabolismus   farmakokinetika   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH