Determination of Effect of Iron (Fe2+ and Fe3+) on Human Erythrocyte AChE Activity

Abstract

Many metals for example iron, in small quantities is needed for physiological functions of the body, but in extreme quantities may cause serious damage and poisoning. Previous report shows that the activity of erythrocyte cholinesterase enzyme, trueoecholinesterase or acetylcholin esterase (AChE) among workers producing iron-zinc alloy has decreased in relation to the control group. With respect to all these cases and also with considering high consumption of iron in society, it is decided to test it's influence on the acetylcholinesterase activity in erythrocyte. Blood used in this study, were obtained (n = 24) from healthy male volunteers, treated with 5 various concentration of Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺. Activity of acetylcholinesterase in erythrocyte was assayed according to colorimetric Ellman procedure. In this method, thiocholin iodide was used as substrate and dithio nitro benzoic acid used as thiol indicator. The activity of acetylcholinesterase enzyme was calculated as micromole of hydrolyzed butyryl cholin iodide per minute in each gram of tissue. Student-Newman-Keuls test was used for statistical analysis and p < 0.05 was considered to be significant. The mean activity of acetylcholinesterase enzyme in the concentrations under 200 μg/dl iron (Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺) has decreased and there is a significant difference with control group (p < 0.001). In addition, the mean activity of acetylcholinesterase enzyme in the concentrations higher than 200 μg/dl iron (Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions) has increased.