Cholinesterase activities and biochemical determinations in patients with prostate cancer: influence of Gleason score, treatment and bone metastasis

Abstract

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the sixth most common type of cancer worldwide. Cholinesterase is well known as having non-cholinergic functions such as cellular proliferation and differentiation, suggesting a possible influence of cholinesterase in tumorogenesis. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the whole blood acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and plasma butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activities and some biochemical parameters in PCa patients. This study was performed in 66 PCa patients and 40 control subjects. AChE and BChE activities were determined in PCa patients and the influence of the Gleason score; bone metastasis and treatment in the enzyme activities were also verified. Furthermore, we also analyzed possible biochemical alterations in these patients. AChE and BChE activities decreased in PCa patients in relation to the control group and various biochemical changes were observed in these patients. Moreover, Gleason score, metastasis and treatment influenced cholinesterase activities and biochemical determinations. Our results suggest that cholinesterases activities and biochemical parameters are altered in PCa. These facts support the idea that the drop in the cholinesterase activity and the consequent increased amount of acetylcholine could lead to a cholinergic overstimulation and increase the cell proliferation in PCa.