Cited by 2,611Cholinesterase and Neurodegenerative DiseasesPesticide Exposure and ToxicityDrug-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Protection

Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors: Pharmacology and Toxicology

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Colovic, Mirjana B., Krstic, Danijela Z., Lazarevic-Pasti, Tamara D., Bondzic, Aleksandra M., Vasic, Vesna M.·2013·Current Neuropharmacology

Abstract

Acetylcholinesterase is involved in the termination of impulse transmission by rapid hydrolysis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in numerous cholinergic pathways in the central and peripheral nervous systems. The enzyme inactivation, induced by various inhibitors, leads to acetylcholine accumulation, hyperstimulation of nicotinic and muscarinic receptors, and disrupted neurotransmission. Hence, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, interacting with the enzyme as their primary target, are applied as relevant drugs and toxins. This review presents an overview of toxicology and pharmacology of reversible and irreversible acetylcholinesterase inactivating compounds. In the case of reversible inhibitors being commonly applied in neurodegenerative disorders treatment, special attention is paid to currently approved drugs (donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine) in the pharmacotherapy of Alzheimer's disease, and toxic carbamates used as pesticides. Subsequently, mechanism of irreversible acetylcholinesterase inhibition induced by organophosphorus compounds (insecticides and nerve agents), and their specific and nonspecific toxic effects are described, as well as irreversible inhibitors having pharmacological implementation. In addition, the pharmacological treatment of intoxication caused by organophosphates is presented, with emphasis on oxime reactivators of the inhibited enzyme activity administering as causal drugs after the poisoning. Besides, organophosphorus and carbamate insecticides can be detoxified in mammals through enzymatic hydrolysis before they reach targets in the nervous system. Carboxylesterases most effectively decompose carbamates, whereas the most successful route of organophosphates detoxification is their degradation by corresponding phosphotriesterases.

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  • Because of its modulatory effects on nicotinic receptors, galantamine may modulate other neurotransmitter systems, including monoamines, glutamate, and GABA.

    “Because of its modulatory effects on nicotinic receptors, it has been proposed that this drug may modulate other neurotransmitter systems, including monoamines, glutamate, and GABA [149].”

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. [16]Froede HC Wilson IB Boyer PD Acetycholinesterase The Enzymes 1971 5 New York Academic Press 87 114
  2. [128]Halliwell B Gutteridge JMC Oxidative stress: Adaptation damage repair and death Free Radicals in Biology and Medicine 1999 Oxford Oxford University Press 246 349

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Authors
Colovic, M. B., Krstic, D. Z., Lazarevic-Pasti, T. D., Bondzic, A. M., & Vasic, V. M.
Affiliations
University of Belgrade (RS)
Venue
Current Neuropharmacology
Published
2013-04-01
Volume
11
Issue
3
Pages
315-335
ISSN
1570-159X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2085907924
Cited by
2,611
References
175
Citations by year
2026: 190 · 2025: 268 · 2024: 273 · 2023: 284 · 2022: 302 · 2021: 294 · 2020: 257 · 2019: 220 · 2018: 177 · 2017: 152 · 2016: 112 · 2015: 54 · 2014: 18 · 2013: 8
FWCI
47.64
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Current Neuropharmacology (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • VinaR (Institute of Nuclear Sciences "Vinča") (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
Ministarstvo Prosvete, Nauke i Tehnološkog Razvoja (172023)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Cholinesterase and Neurodegenerative Diseases
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Pesticide Exposure and Toxicity
  • Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Pharmacology › Drug-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Protection
Keywords
acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, acetylcholinesterase, reversible inhibitors, irreversible inhibitors, organophosphorus compounds, carbamate insecticides, nerve agents, pesticide poisoning, oxime reactivators, donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine, Alzheimer's disease, cholinergic neurotransmission, nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, muscarinic receptors, carboxylesterase, phosphotriesterase

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