Butyrylcholinesterase activity is reduced in haemodialysis patients: Is there association with hyperhomocysteinemia and/or oxidative stress?

Objectives: To quantify serum butyrylcholinesterase activity in haemodialysis patients and to evaluate if the homocysteine levels and/or oxidative stress biomarkers have an effect on butyrylcholinesterase. Materials and methods: Blood samples were collected from patients and healthy subjects (control). The plasma homocysteine and TBARS levels; serum butyrylcholinesterase activity; blood 6 aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALA-D) activity and methahaemoglobin were analyzed. The mortality of the patients was also evaluated after 3 years. Results: The homocysteine was increased and butyrylcholinesterase decreased compared to control (p<0.05). TBARS and methahaemoglobin were increased and ALA-D decreased (p<0.05). The following correlations were found: homocysteine with butyrylcholinesterase (-0.44);methahaemoglobin (0.41); ALA-D (-0.68); and TBARS (0.66). The partial correlation between homocysteine with butyrylcholinesterase, withdrawn the effect of TBARS, was -0.30; all p<0.05. Moreover, it was observed that 22% of the patients died due to cardiovascular problems. Conclusion: Thus, our findings support a direct association between the reduction of butyrylcholinesterase by the increase of homocysteine and an indirect effect by increase in oxidative stress. (c) 2008 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.