Cholinesterases in dexrazoxane-treated daunorubicin cardiomyopathy in rabbits

Changes in cholinesterases activities in daunorubicin cardiomyopathy and in dexrazoxane (DRZX)-treated daunorubicin cardiomyopathy were investigated i n rabbits. Acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase (AChE and BuChE) were determin ed using Ellman's method. In the serum, a significant decrease of BuChE was observed in the daunorubicin group (9.05 at the beginning and 7.15 mu cat/ l at the end of the experiment). After DRZX, no significant changes were fo und and a significant increase in BuChE was observed in the control group ( 10.26 - 12.38 mu cat/l). AChE activity in the left and right cardiac ventri cles was not significantly different between the groups while in the septum there was a significantly lower AChE activity found in the daunorubicin gr oup only. BuChE activity was significantly decreased in the left (15.64 nca t/g) and right (19.27 ncat/g) heart ventricles, in the septum and in the li ver in the daunorubicin group. A significant decrease in serum total protei n and albumin was demonstrated only in the daunorubicin group. Our results support the hypothesis about the influence of daunorubicin on protein land enzyme) synthesis in the liver and heart. A protective effect of DRZX on ch olinesterases activity was observed. The changes in cholinesterase activiti es may thus reflect their possible role in cardiomyopathy.