The cholinesterases, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) (pseudocholinesterase), are abundant in the nervous system and in other tissues. The role of AChE in terminating transmitter action in the peripheral and central nervous system is well understood. However, both knowledge of the function(s) of the cholinesterases in serum, and of their metabolic and endocrine regulation under normal and pathological conditions, is limited. This study investigates AChE and BChE in sera of dystrophin-deficient mdx mutant mice, an animal model for the human Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and in control healthy mice. The data show systematic and differential variations in the concentrations of both enzymes in the sera, and specific changes dictated by alteration of hormonal balance in both healthy and dystrophic mice. While AChE in mdx-sera is elevated, BChE is markedly diminished, resulting in an overall cholinesterase decrease compared to sera of healthy controls. The androgen testosterone (T) is a negative modulator of BChE, but not of AChE, in male mouse sera. T-removal elevated both BChE activity and the BChE/AChE ratio in mdx male sera to values resembling those in healthy control male mice. Mechanisms of regulation of the circulating cholinesterases and their impairment in the dystrophic mice are suggested, and clinical implications for diagnosis and treatment are considered.
Introduction: The effect of local anesthesia on postoperative pain, in operations performed vaginally has been scarcely studied. Although the results were encouraging, the studies populations were relatively small, and the indications for hysterectomy were not homogenous.We aimed to study the effect of preemptive local anesthetic on postoperative pain following vaginal hysterectomy.Methods: This was a double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial. Women who undergone elective vaginal hysterectomy were included. Solutions of either Bupivacaine-Hydrochloride 0.5%, or Sodium-Chloride 0.9% as a placebo, were prepared prior to surgery, according to randomization. The chosen solution was injected before incision, in a circumferential manner, to the cervix. The amount of uid administered was 10 ml. When colporrhaphy was also performed, an additional 5 ml of solution were injected in the midline of the vaginal wall prior to each incision line. We conformed to the CONSORT recommendations.By utilizing the 10 cm Visual-analogue-scale (VAS) we assessed post-operative pain at rest at 3, 8, and 24 hours, and during ambulation at 8 and 24 hours.Results: A total of 30 women were included in each group. The level of postoperative pain, as assessed by VAS, was not signi cantly different between the groups, in all points of time. In addition, there was no difference between the groups in opioid based analgesics during recovery, nor in postoperative analgesic use.Conclusion: Preemptive local anesthesia was not shown to be e cient in reducing postoperative pain after vaginal hysterectomy.
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