A Review: Human Erythrocyte Acetylcholinesterase

Acetylcholinesterase in red blood cells

“…As may be expected, AChE activity is increased in some conditions associated with a reticulocytosis, such as hemolysis, acute blood loss, and the early response to treatment of pernicious anemia [4]. There are a few conditions associated with decreased AChE in red cells and these are largely hemolytic anemias of both congenital and acquired forms [4].…”

“…Reduced AChE activity is an occasional finding in erythroleukemia and acute myeloid leukemia [4]. As is the case with autoimmune and alloimmune hemolytic anemias, the nature and significance of the reduced enzyme level remain unclear.…”

“…The last major published discussion of human erythrocyte AChE was by Herz and Kaplan in 1973 [4], although the biochemistry of membrane acetylcholinesterases was reviewed comprehensively by Ott in 1985 [5]. In view of the continuing hematological enigma posed by this enzyme, we believe that an update may be useful.…”

“…Fetal erythropoiesis is accelerated close to term and it may be that normoblasts "skip" a generation, perhaps at the stage when most AChE is synthesized; hence there may be lower levels of the enzyme in circulating red cells and reticulocytes at birth than in later life. However, the possibility of accelerated enzyme inactivation in neonates cannot be discounted [4].…”

“…There are a few conditions associated with decreased AChE in red cells and these are largely hemolytic anemias of both congenital and acquired forms [4].…”