Abstract
Summary And Conclusions
1. In vitro experiments have been carried out regarding the effect of curare and beta-erythroidin hydrochloride upon the activity of choline esterase of human serum. 2. Very small amounts of curare had a marked inhibiting effect upon the choline esterase activity of human serum. 3. The degree of inhibition of enzyme activity up to 60% was approximately proportional to the amount of curare added. The possible application of this finding for assaying curare preparations is indicated. 4. Beta-erythroidin hydrochloride in amounts 3000 times as large as that of the largest amount of curare had no effect upon the choline esterase activity of the serum. 5. The possible importance of the marked difference in effect between curare and beta-erythroidin hydrochloride upon choline esterase activity is discussed. 6. Plans for further investigation are indicated.
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