No abstract available.
Acetylcholinesterase* ; Aluminum* ; Animals ; Brain* ; Choline O-Acetyltransferase* ; Choline* ; Rats*

OBJECTIVE: We examined the difference in responses to donepezil between carriers and non-carriers of the A allele at the +4 position of the choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) gene in Koreans. METHODS: Patients who met the criteria for probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) (n=199) were recruited. Among these, 145 completed the 12-week follow-up evaluation and 135 completed the 26-week scheduled course. Differences and changes in the Korean version of the mini-mental state examination (MMSE-KC) score, Korean version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (CERAD-K[N]) wordlist subtest score (WSS), CERAD-K(N) total score (TS), and the Korean version of geriatric depression scale (GDS-K) score between baseline and 12 weeks or 26 weeks were assessed by the Student's t-test. RESULTS: At 12 weeks, the changes in the MMSE-KC score, CERAD-K(N) WSS, and CERAD-K(N) TS from baseline were not significant between ChAT A allele carriers and non-carriers; however, at 26 weeks, these changes were significantly larger in ChAT A allele carriers than in non-carriers (p=0.02 for MMSE-KC and p=0.03 for CERAD-K(N) WSS respectively). CONCLUSION: Our findings in this study suggested that presence of the A allele at the +4 position of ChAT might positively influence the treatment effect of donepezil in the early stages of AD in Koreans.
Alleles ; Alzheimer Disease* ; Choline O-Acetyltransferase* ; Choline* ; Depression ; Follow-Up Studies ; Genotype* ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

OBJECTIVES: The potential association between choline acetyltransferase(CHAT) polymorphism and the risk of mild cognitive impairment(MCI) has not been investigated in Korea. We examined the main effect of CHAT polymorphism and its interaction with apolipoprotein E(APOE) polymorphism in the development of MCI in elderly Korean sample. METHODS: We analyzed CHAT 2384G > A polymorphism and APOE polymorphism among 149 MCI subjects with MCI and 298 normal controls. We tested the association between MCI and CHAT A allele status using a logistic regression model. In addition, we employed generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction(GMDR) to investigate the interaction between CHAT and APOE with regard to the risk of MCI. RESULTS: The CHAT A allele was associated with AD risk(OR = 1.59, 95% CI = 1.02-2.48, p = 0.042). No significant gene-gene interaction between CHAT and APOE was found in GMDR method(testing balanced accuracy = 0.540, p = 0.055). CONCLUSION: The CHAT A allele was associated with MCI risk in the Korean elderly. Its interaction with the APOE epsilon4 allele was not significant with regard to the development of MCI.
Aged ; Alleles ; Apolipoproteins ; Apolipoproteins E ; Choline ; Choline O-Acetyltransferase ; Humans ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Mild Cognitive Impairment

We found that the expression and activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is increased in the hippocampus during exercise (Moon et al., 2006). However, the upstream regulatory factor on the eNOS expression in the hippocampus during exercise has not been clear. In this study, we investigate the role of acetylcholine (ACh) as a regulatory factor for the eNOS expression and activity in the hippocampus during exercise. The results of the present study demonstrate that voluntary wheel running exercise for two weeks increases the expression and activity eNOS. In addition, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) immnunoreacitvity within the hippocampus was increased after 2 weeks exercise. We further found that the upregulation of ACh with treatment of physostigmine, a booster of ACh releasing, increase the expression and activity of eNOS in the hippocampus. This present study provides the evidence that the upregulation of eNOS during exercise may be mediated by ACh in the hippocampus.
Acetylcholine ; Choline ; Choline O-Acetyltransferase ; Hippocampus ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; Physostigmine ; Running ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo observe a turning performance in the rats excited by using a proper electrical stimuli of the barrel cortex region (BC), and the expression of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in the BC regions after electoral stimulation.

METHODSSD rats were divided into three groups. The stimulation electrodes were surgically implanted into the bilateral BC regions in the control group and the experimental group rats. The experiment group post surgery for seven days was given the electrical impulses via connection with the electrodes for three times each day through consecutive three days. Three groups of the rats were killed and the brains were quickly removed for frozen sections and then performed with conventional HE and immunohistochemistry staining. And protein samples were prepared from brain and the hippocampus tissues of the three groups to detect the level of the ChAT protein by Western blot.

RESULTSThe experimental rats turn left or right when continuously stimulation in the bilateral BC regions with electric pulse. HE staining showed no significant damage around electrodes in the cerebral cortex. Compared with the control and blank groups, the ChAT positive rate in the brain section in the experimental rats was significantly high by immunohistochemistry assay; the level of the ChAT protein in the rats given the electrical stimulation increased.

CONCLUSIONTurnings performance of the rat could be initiated hy electrical stimuli in the BC region. Expression of ChAT is significantly higher in the BC regions of rat under electrical stimulation, suggesting that acetylcholine might be associated with signal transmission between senses and movement behavior in the nervous central system.

Acetylcholine ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cerebral Cortex ; metabolism ; Choline O-Acetyltransferase ; metabolism ; Electric Stimulation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of cluster needling at the scalp points on the expression of choline acetyl transferase (ChAT) and choline cholinesterase (AchE). METHODS: A total of 60 Wistar rats were randomized into a sham-operation group, a model group, a medication group and a cluster needling group, 15 rats in each one. In the model group, the medication group and the cluster needling group, the models of Alzheimer's disease (AD) were established by the orienteering injection with Aβ1-42 in the bilateral hippocampal CA1 in the rats. In the sham-operation group, the distilled water was injected in bilateral hippocampus of rats. In the medication group, the lavage with aricept was adopted for the basic treatment, once a day, for 4 weeks consecutively. In the cluster needling group, on the base of the treatment as the medication group, the cluster needling at the scalp points was adopted, once a day, 6 times a week, for 4 weeks totally. In the sham-operation group and the model group, the normal feeding was provided. After intervention, the learning and memory ability was measured with Morris water maze in the rats of each group. The changes in the hippocampal gross structure were observed with HE staining. The changes in the positive expressions of hippocampal ChAT and AchE were determined with the immunohistochemical method. RESULTS: Compared with the sham-operation group, the escape latency was prolonged and the percentage of the second quadrant and the frequency of platform leaping were reduced in the rats of the model group (all <0.01). Compared with the model group, the escape latency was shortened and the percentage of the second quadrant and the frequency of platform leaping were increased in the rats of the cluster needling group and the medication group (<0.05, <0.01). Compared with the medication group, the escape latency was shortened and the percentage of the second quadrant and the frequency of platform leaping were increased in the rats of the cluster needling group (all <0.05). Compared with the sham-operation group, the expression of ChAT was decreased and that of AchE increased in the model group (both <0.01). Compared with the model group, the difference was not significant in ChAT expression (>0.05) and the expression of AchE was reduced (<0.05) in the medication group; the expression of ChAT was increased (<0.05) and that of AchE decreased (<0.01) in the cluster needling group. Compared with the medication group, the expression of ChAT was increased and that of AchE decreased in the cluster needling group (both <0.05). CONCLUSION The effect mechanism of cluster needling at the scalp points on AD could be related to the up-regulation of ChAT expression and down-regulation of AchE expression in the hippocampus. The combined treatment with the cluster needling and aricept achieves the better therapeutic effect on AD.
Alzheimer Disease ; Animals ; Choline O-Acetyltransferase ; Hippocampus ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats, Wistar ; Scalp

The hyperactivity of cholinergic system in the RVLM of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) may contribute to the sustained elevation of blood pressure. However, the hyperactivity mechanisms of cholinergic system are controversial. Thus, to clarify the mechanisms of cholinergic hyperactivity in RVLM of the SHR, we studied the activities of enzymes that participate in the biosynthesis and degradation of acetylcholine (ACh) and the density of muscarinic receptors in RVLM of the 14- to 18-week-old SHR and age-marched Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). Choline acetyltransferase activity was far greater in RVLM of SHR than that of WKY. (3H)ACh release from RVLM was also greater in SHR than in WKY. Acetylcholinesterase activity and (3H)NMS binding of RVLM slice of SHR were not significantly different from that of WKY. These results suggest that the enhanced cholinergic mechanisms in the RVLM of SHR is due to the enhanced presynaptic cholinergic tone rather than the altered postsynaptic mechanisms.
Acetylcholine ; Acetylcholinesterase ; Blood Pressure ; Choline O-Acetyltransferase ; Rats, Inbred SHR* ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Receptors, Muscarinic

Puerariae flos (PF) is a traditional oriental medicinal plant and has clinically been prescribed for a long time. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of PF on repeated stress-induced alterations of learning and memory on a Morris water maze (MWM) test in ovariectomized (OVX) female rats. The changes in the reactivity of the cholinergic system were assessed by measuring the immunoreactive neurons of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in the hippocampus after behavioral testing. The female rats were randomly divided into four groups: the nonoperated and nonstressed group (normal), the sham-operated and stressed group (control), the ovariectomized and stressed group (OS), and the ovariectomized, stressed and PF treated group (OSF). Rats were exposed to immobilization stress (IMO) for 14 d (2 h/d), and PF (400 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered 30 min before IMO stress. Results showed that treatments with PF caused significant reversals of the stress-induced deficits in learning and memory on a spatial memory task, and also increased the ChAT immunoreactivities. In conclusion, administration of PF improved spatial learning and memory in OVX rats, and PF may be useful for the treatment of postmenopausal-related dementia.
Animals ; Choline O-Acetyltransferase ; Female ; Hippocampus ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Learning ; Memory ; Neurons ; Ovariectomy ; Plants, Medicinal ; Pueraria ; Rats

Existence of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve containing afferent fibers is much of concern. In this study, it is the aim to identify the component of fibers by immunohistochemistry using choline acetyltransferase, the specific marker of the cholinergic motor neuron. Both side of external branch of superior laryngeal nerve were excised from 4 adult cats, and also obtained the great auricular nerve and the hypoglossal nerve for sensory control and motor control specimen, respectively. There were no fibers with immune reaction in the great auricular nerve while all of the fibers in the hypoglossal nerve were strongly stained with rabbit anti-choline acetyltransferase antibody. In the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve, 12.7% of the fibers were not stained with immune reaction product. They are smaller than stained nerve fibers in cross sectioned diameter and peripherally located in the same fascicle. The identification of unstained fiber group in the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve suggest that it is a mixed nerve and not purely motor, possibly containing the sensory nerve fiber.
Adult ; Animals ; Cats* ; Choline O-Acetyltransferase* ; Choline* ; Humans ; Hypoglossal Nerve ; Immunohistochemistry ; Laryngeal Nerves* ; Motor Neurons ; Nerve Fibers

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to investigate the effect of exercise training on defense mechanism of chronic degenerative disease, aging, and memory impairments of senescence-accelerated mouse (SAM)P8 under the hypothesis that "Senile dementia may be prevented by regular exercises". METHODS: To evaluate the effects of exercise training on the defense mechanism of aging and memory impairment, SAMP8 were divided into two groups, the control group and exercise training groups. the exercise training group were performed with low (O2max 25~33%), middle (O2max 50%) and high (O2max 66~75%) intensity exercise. All SAMP8 mice were fed experimental diet ad libitum until 4, 8 months, and dead period. RESULTS: Median lifespan in middle exercise group resulted in a significantly increased (23.5% and 18.7%, respectively), whereas these lifespan in high exercise group resulted in an unexpectedly decreased (13.5% and 12.1%, respectively) compared with control group. Body fat levels in 4 and 8 months of age were significantly decreased 43% to 51% in middle exercise group, whereas were remarkably deceased to 57% in high exercise group compared with control group. It is believed that extended median and maximum lifespan may be effected by calory restriction through the exercise training. Acetylcholine (ACh) levels were significantly increased 6.7% and 8.5% in middle and high exercise groups, and also choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activities were significantly increased 10.3% and 11.9% in middle and high exercise groups. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that proper and regular exercises such as middle group (O2max 50%) may play an effective role in attenuating an oxygen radicals and may play an important role in improving a learning and memory impairments of senile dementia.
Acetylcholine ; Adipose Tissue ; Aging* ; Alzheimer Disease ; Animals ; Choline O-Acetyltransferase ; Dementia ; Diet ; Exercise ; Learning ; Memory* ; Mice ; Reactive Oxygen Species