Karami_2010_Eur.Rev.Med.Pharmacol.Sci_14_897

OBJECTIVES: Metals such as iron are needed for physiological functions of the body. However, their excess may cause serious damage including poisoning. The effects of Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions on human plasma cholinesterase activity were investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Plasma were obtained (n = 24) from healthy male volunteers, and treated with five various concentrations of Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions. Activity of butyryl cholinesterase (BChE) was assayed according to colorimetric EIIman procedure. The activity was calculated as micromole of hydrolyzed substrate, per minute in each ml. RESULTS: Both ferric (Fe3+) and ferrous (Fe2+) ions significantly decreased the BChE activity in all tested concentrations. The effect of ferric (Fe3+) ions on the reduction of plasma enzyme activity was more pronounced than ferrous (Fe2+) ions (p < 0.001, respect to control group). CONCLUSIONS: The present paper represents the effect of Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions on ButyrylChE activity in human plasma. It reveals that both ions suppress BChE activity.