Abstract
Summary
Acetyl-β-methylcholine is a racemic compound. Acetyl-D-β-methylcholine is hydrolyzed by acetylcholinesterase; the Lisomer is not. Acetyl-L-β-methylcholine is an inhibitor of the hydrolysis of the Disomer and of acetylcholine by acetylcholinesterase. Therefore the generally available acetyl-β-methylcholine is composed of half substrate and half inhibitor. Two other structurally related compounds are also cholinesterase inhibitors when tested under conditions comparable to those obtaining in the use of acetyl-DL-β-methylcholine.
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