CHOLINESTERASE AND MONOAMINE OXIDASE ACTIVITIES IN SKELETAL MUSCLE OF NORMAL AND HEREDITARY DYSTROPHIC MICE

Abstract

Acetyl- and butyryl-cholinesterase activities in dystrophic mouse muscle are increased significantly, whether the results are expressed in relation to (a) the fresh weight or (b) the total nitrogen, of the muscle. Activities of these enzymes do not show any change in normal and dystrophic mouse liver and brain. However, in dystrophic lens, the enzymatic activity is decreased when the results are expressed on the basis of fresh weight. This is because of a change in the chemical composition of the lens since no significant change in both enzymatic activities could be observed when the results were expressed on the basis of lens protein. This increase in the cholinesterase activity of dystrophic muscle is not incompatible with the change in the distribution pattern of these enzymes in the muscle noted by many workers, or to the high sensitivity of dystrophic muscle to acetylcholine.Monoamine oxidase activity in dystrophic mouse muscle showed a significant increase when the results are expressed in relation to (a) the fresh weight or (b) the total nitrogen, of the muscle. This increase in activity could be due to enzyme induction, i.e. increase in the amine content followed by an increase in monoamine oxidase activity in dystrophic muscle.