Evaluation of the Effects of Various Factors on the Serum Cholinesterase Activity Level

Abstract

As we become increasingly aware of the serious effects of our life style on our health . condition, new theoretical bases must be established for preventive medicine and health promotion. With such a background, mass examinations planned for area resi-dents are becoming part of routine health care practice and these examinations are being increasingly better organized. Within this diagnostic system, the blood chemical analyses are important. From the viewpoint of preventive medicine, we believe that it would be highly advantageous if these tests are used not only to screen for diseases but also as indices for health guidance of nor-mal individuals (Higuch et al., 1994; Imaki et al. 1993). From this viewpoint, in the present study, we studied the appropriate-ness of serum cholinesterase activity as a health index. Since the importation of parathion into Japan in 1951, this organophosphte agent, together with organochlorine preparations, have been used in enormous quantities as a leading insecticide. Subsequently, frequent incidence of toxicoses associated with this and related agents have been reported, which resulted in active studies on the methods for the diagnosis of intoxication by various types of organophosphate agents (Cucuianu et al., 1975; Higashi et al., 1985). These agents potently inhibit cholinesterase and determining the activity of this enzyme has become a significant means for the diagnosis of intoxication by organophos-phate agents (Nakamura, 1989). The serum level of this enzyme is deter-mined in clinical diagnoses of conditions such as hepatic diseases, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and anemia. Shibata (1970) reported that the serum cholinester-ase activity level is reduced when a patient is unable to eat due to malnutrition or esophageal stenosis and that this reduction parallels a reduction in the blood hemoglo-bin level, an important indicator of nutri-tional status. In an epidemiological survery conducted by Hirai (1976) in agricultural villages, the relationship between the serum cholinesterase activity level and factors related to food habit was reported. In addi-tion, there are reports on the relationship between the serum cholinesterase activity level and physical activity (Pawlowska et al., 1985; Ryhanen et al., 1988; Vihko et al., 1979). In the present study, we focused on the relationship among the results of various blood chemical analyses, hemodynamic data, posture, nutritional state, daily physical activity, and mild exercises.