Abstract
Several investigators have recently recently reported changes in plasma, or whole blood cholinesterase content in anemias and leukemia. Values reported were expressed in terms of cholinesterase activity per volume of sample. Sabine 1 has calculated the cholinesterase content per cc of red cells but was unable to secure accurate values by direct measurement.
The red cells contain only specific cholinesterase and none of the nonspecific type found in plasma or serum. It is unlikely, therefore, that the cholinesterase in the red cells is derived from the circulating plasma, but, more probably, their esterase content is produced by the tissues from which they are derived or with which they are closely associated. Any change of esterase content per cell may be important, therefore, in reflecting the activity of the reticuloendothelial elements of bone-marrow. The production of the esterase by the red cell itself cannot at this time be excluded.
Preliminary to some observations of the red cell content in various pathological states, we have determined the cholinesterase content per million cells in 18 normal human subjects. We have been able to secure accurate values by using volumes of washed, resuspended red cells calculated to contain the same number of cells as determined by cell count. The cells were lysed with 10%percnt; NaCl at 2°C. The measurements were then conducted at 37.5° by a modification of the method of Ammon 2 in which the bicarbonate-Ringers solution and the acetylcholine chloride solution were both placed in the large space and the blood sample in the side cup of the Warburg vessels. Values of cholinesterase activity thus secured are expressed as cmm of CO2 produced per hour per million red cells.
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