Skip to main content
PMC home page
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry logoLink to Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
. 1977 Nov;40(11):1060–1065. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.40.11.1060

Acetylcholinesterase activity and menstrual remissions in myasthenia gravis.

N Vijayan, V K Vijayan, P M Dreyfus
PMCID: PMC492903  PMID: 599353

Abstract

Menstrually related temporary remissions of myasthenic symptoms are reported to occur in 25 to 50% of female patients. Even though this has been attributed to hormonal changes associated with the menstrual cycle the underlying mechanism of this hormonal influence has remained elusive. The present study demonstrated a cyclical variation in the activity of red cell acetylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7) enzyme (AChE) with a marked reduction at the time of menstrual remission of symptoms of myasthenia. These cyclical changes were abolished by thymectomy. It appears, therefore, that menstrual remission in myasthenia is at least partly due to hormone-induced changes in AChE activity. This process seems to be under the control of the thymus gland.

Full text

PDF
1060

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Augustinsson K. B., Henricson B. Sex hormones as a factor controlling the blood plasma arylesterase activity in rats. Experientia. 1970;26(7):793–794. doi: 10.1007/BF02232556. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. BARNES A. C., EPPERSON J. W. Studies in the cholinesterase-hormone relationship. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1952 Feb;63(2):326–332. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9378(15)32827-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Besedovsky H. O., Sorkin E. Thymus involvement in female sexual maturation. Nature. 1974 May 24;249(455):356–358. doi: 10.1038/249356a0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. CSAPO A. Progesterone block. Am J Anat. 1956 Mar;98(2):273–291. doi: 10.1002/aja.1000980206. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Coates P. M., Simpson N. E. Genetic variation in human erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase. Science. 1972 Mar 31;175(4029):1466–1467. doi: 10.1126/science.175.4029.1466. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. ELLMAN G. L., COURTNEY K. D., ANDRES V., Jr, FEATHER-STONE R. M. A new and rapid colorimetric determination of acetylcholinesterase activity. Biochem Pharmacol. 1961 Jul;7:88–95. doi: 10.1016/0006-2952(61)90145-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Foldes F. F., Smith J. C. The interaction of human cholinesterases with anticholinesterases used in the therapy of myasthenia gravis. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1966 Jan 26;135(1):287–301. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1966.tb45477.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. KEYNES G. Obstetrics and gynaecology in relation to thyrotoxicosis and myasthenia gravis. J Obstet Gynaecol Br Emp. 1952 Apr;59(2):173–182. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1952.tb04112.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Lindstrom J. M., Lennon V. A., Seybold M. E., Whittingham S. Experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis and myasthenia gravis: biochemical and immunochemical aspects. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1976;274:254–274. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1976.tb47691.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Lindstrom J. M., Seybold M. E., Lennon V. A., Whittingham S., Duane D. D. Antibody to acetylcholine receptor in myasthenia gravis. Prevalence, clinical correlates, and diagnostic value. Neurology. 1976 Nov;26(11):1054–1059. doi: 10.1212/wnl.26.11.1054. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Massa E. M., Morero R. D., Bloj B., Farías R. N. Hormone action and membrane fluidity: effect of insulin and cortisol on the Hill coefficients of rat erythrocyte membrane-bound acetylcholinesterase and (Na+ + K+)-ATPase. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1975 Sep 2;66(1):115–122. doi: 10.1016/s0006-291x(75)80302-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Moudgil V. K., Kanungo M. S. Effect of age of the rat on induction of acetylcholinesterase of the brain by 17 beta-estradiol. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1973 Dec 5;329(2):211–220. doi: 10.1016/0304-4165(73)90285-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Mueller G. C., Vonderhaar B., Kim U. H., Le Mahieu M. Estrogen action: an inroad to cell biology. Recent Prog Horm Res. 1972;28:1–49. doi: 10.1007/BF02558535. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. SCHRIRE I. Progesterone metabolism in myasthenia gravis. Q J Med. 1959 Jan;28(109):59–75. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. WOOLLEY D. E. Sex differences in brain pseudo-cholinesterase activity in the rat. J Neurochem. 1963 Jun;10:447–452. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.1963.tb13673.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry are provided here courtesy of BMJ Publishing Group

RESOURCES