Role of Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition in Toluene Diisocyanate (TDI) Induced Bronchoconstriction

  • A. Trevisan
  • G. Moro
Original Papers
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Accepted:

Summary

Two groups of subjects (ten controls and 13 with a clinical history of bronchial asthma attributed to TDI exposure in industry), underwent a specific bronchial stimulation test with TDI at concentrations around the MAC. Five other subjects not exposed to TDI, underwent an a specific bronchial stimulation test with carbachol. AChE and CHE activity and respiratory function (FEV1 and V max 50%) were determined before, immediately after and 4 h after exposure. In vitro, the ID50 and ID90 of TDI on AChE activity is very high (7.2 x 10−5 and 6.8 × 10−4 mol/l, respectively). In vivo, AChE activity of the control group and of the group exposed to carbachol is not inhibited, while in TDI professionally exposed subjects, five show only a fall of ACNE activity after 4 h (6% lower than the base, P < 0.005), without respiratory impairment, five show a “late” response with AChE inhibition of 13% (P < 0.001); three show a “dual” response with AChE activity inhibition of 16% (P < 0.001) after 4h. There was no variation of CHE activity in any subject. The authors hypothesized a “biochemical” effect mediated by an immune mechanism due to the presence of antibodies against acetylcholinesterase-TDI complex with a threshold effect on respiratory impairment due to acetylcholinesterase inhibition.

Key words

Acethylcholinesterase Cholinesterase Toluene diisocyanate 

Abbreviations

AChE

Acetylcholinesterase in erythrocytes

CHE

Cholinesterase in serum

TDI

Toluene diisocyanate

FEV1

Forced expiratory volume Is

\(\dot V\) max 50%

Maximal expiratory flow at 50% of vital capacity

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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 1981

Authors and Affiliations

  • A. Trevisan
    • 1
  • G. Moro
    • 1
  1. 1.Istituto di Medicina del LavoroUniversità di PadovaPadovaItaly

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