The aim of this study was to verify which risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) are independently correlated with butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity. We studied 88 White individuals (43 males) aged 47.3+/-15.7 years (mean+/-SD; range: 14.0-80.0 years) including 38 with hyperlipidemia, 30 with hypertension and 5 with diabetes mellitus (DM). Simple correlation analysis showed that BChE activity was positively correlated with age, sex, body mass index, hypertension and DM, as well as with triglycerides (TGs), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein B (Apo B). However, after a step-wise multiple regression analysis, the only risk factors for CAD that showed independent correlations with BChE activity were, in descending order of importance, Apo B, TGs and DM. Our findings seem to reinforce suggested associations of BChE activity with lipoprotein synthesis and with hypertension, as well as supporting previous data on the relation of BChE activity with disturbances found in diabetes mellitus.

Total butyrylcholinesterase activity (EC 3.1.1.8) was previously suggested as a marker for metabolic syndrome. The present study examined total butyrylcholinesterase activity and the relative and absolute activities of two butyrylcholinesterase electrophoretic bands (C(4/5) and C(OF) in 99 obese individuals (body mass index > or = 30 kg/m2) presenting the CHE2 C5- phenotype of the CHE2 gene. Anthropometric, hormonal and biochemical variables already associated with metabolic syndrome were also examined. The data from these obese individuals of the CHE2 C5- phenotype show that total butyrylcholinesterase activity and the absolute activities of the C(4/5) and C(OF) electrophoretic bands are associated with metabolic syndrome and with variables related to it. These butyrylcholinesterase activities do not behave as independent risk factors for metabolic syndrome, but can be considered as secondary markers for this syndrome in obese individuals with the CHE2 C5- phenotype.

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the association between butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activities (total and band specific) and body mass index (BMI) in obese and nonobese individuals, considering other variables (anthropometric, biochemical and hormonal) and the leanness process. SUBJECTS: Obese (BMIZ30 kg/m 2 ; N ¼ 181) and nonobese individuals (N ¼ 265), classified according to the CHE2 locus phenotypes, with the obese patients being followed-up when submitted to a weight-loss program. MEASUREMENTS: Anthropometric (weight, height, BMI, waist, waist/hip ratioFWHR, triceps and subscapular skinfolds, percentage of body fat and arterial pressures), hormonal (insulin, estradiolFE 2 , triiodothyronineFT 3 and thyroxineFT 4 ) and biochemical (glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-C, triglycerides, uric acid, urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium and BChE activities) variables. RESULTS: Although obese CHE2 C5À individuals presented higher mean BChE activities than their CHE2 C5À controls and diminished mean activities with leanness, similar comparisons did not show any difference in the CHE2 C5 þ group. Furthermore, the mean serum potassium values of obese individuals were significantly higher in the CHE2 C5 þ than in the CHE2 C5À phenotype. The BChE activities were less related to BMI in obese CHE2 C5À individuals than in their controls. In the CHE2 C5À obese group, significant regression coefficients were found between BChE activity variables and BMI ( þ ), ethnic origin (higher in Euro-Brazilians), sex (higher in males), diastolic pressure (À), triceps skinfold ( þ ), total cholesterol ( þ ), T 3 ( þ ) and E 2 (À). The main findings in the CHE2 C5 þ obese group: mean insulin levels decreased with leanness and a significant correlation was detected between the C 5 complex activity and creatinine ( þ ), insulin (À) and WHR (À); a significantly higher frequency of weight loss occurred compared to the CHE2 C5À group. CONCLUSION: In the present study, different relations between obesity and some of the studied variables were found when CHE2 C5 þ and CHE2 C5À individuals were compared.

Postmenopausal women run the same risks of coronary heart disease as men. The lipid alterations observed at this time reflect increased blood levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and lipoprotein (a), and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. These changes lead to a higher risk of coronary artery disease, and hormonal therapy has a favorable effect on lipid metabolism. In this paper we review the literature on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in postmenopausal women with the emphasis on the role of lipids in the pathogenesis of coronary heart disease, and on the action of estrogens and their correlation with progestogens, as well as routes of HRT administration. We conclude that the HRT changes the lipid profile in a potentially anti-atherogenic direction, usually reducing LDL-C and increasing HDL-C and triglycerides. Otherwise, for postmenopausal women with established coronary disease HRT is not recommended.

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