Acta Med. 2015, 58: 37-42

https://doi.org/10.14712/18059694.2015.91

Possibility of Acetylcholinesterase Overexpression in Alzheimer Disease Patients after Therapy with Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors

Alžběta Kračmarováa, Lucie Drtinováa, Miroslav Pohankab

aDepartment of Toxicology and Military Pharmacy, Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defense, Czech Republic
bDepartment of Molecular Pathology and Biology, Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defense, Czech Republic

Received March 17, 2015
Accepted May 27, 2015

Acetylcholinesterase is an enzyme responsible for termination of excitatory transmission at cholinergic synapses by the hydrolyzing of a neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Nowadays, other functions of acetylcholinesterase in the organism are considered, for example its role in regulation of apoptosis. Cholinergic nervous system as well as acetylcholinesterase activity is closely related to pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease. The mostly used therapy of Alzheimer disease is based on enhancing cholinergic function using inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase like rivastigmine, donepezil or galantamine. These drugs can influence not only the acetylcholinesterase activity but also other processes in treated organism. The paper is aimed mainly on possibility of increased expression and protein level of acetylcholinesterase caused by the therapy with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.

Funding

The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic is gratefully acknowledged for project SV/FVZ201203.

References

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