Elevated butyrylcholinesterase and acetylcholinesterase may predict the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer's disease

Plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and lipid peroxides are elevated and concentrations of endothelial nitric oxide (eNO) decreased in type 2 diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer's disease. This suggests that both these diseases are tow-grade systemic inflammatory conditions and are closely associated with each other. Recent studies revealed that plasma and tissue concentrations of enzymes butyrylcholinesterase and acetylcholinesterase are elevated in type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. Acetylcholine has anti-inflammatory actions. Hence, elevated butyrylcholinesterase and acetylcholineste rase concentrations will lead to a decrease in the levels of acetylcholine that could trigger the onset of tow-grade systemic inflammation seen in type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. In view of this, we propose that butyrylcholinesterase and acetylcholinesterase will not only serve as therapeutic targets but also may serve as markers to predict the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer's disease. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.