Are cholinesterases potential progression markers in Sepsis?

Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) can occur as a specific organ dysfunction of the central nervous system (CNS) in the context of a Sepsis, regardless of the pathogen. There is evidence that an imbalance in the degradation of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of SAE.

Researchers from the research group Translational Septomics investigated the effect of viral and bacterial Sepsis on the activities of the acetylcholinesterase-degrading enzymes acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). For this, they compared its concentrations in the blood of Sepsis patients with those of healthy volunteers. The aim of the study was to make statements about the suitability of AChE and BChE as prognostic markers for the occurrence of SAE or for the mortality rate of Sepsis patients in the intensive care unit.

The studies showed that blood concentrations of both enzymes are significantly lower in sepsis patients in the acute phase of Sepsis than in healthy individuals. In addition, a prognostic potential with regard to the development of SAE and survival in the intensive care unit was demonstrated for both AChE and BChE concentrations.

The detailed results were published in the Canadian Journal of Anaesthesia.

Neu C, Esper Treml R, Baumbach P, Engelmann M, Gebhardt C, Götze J, Coldewey SM (2024) Cholinesterase activities and sepsis-associated encephalopathy in viral versus nonviral sepsis. Can J Anaesth. 71(3):378-389. doi: 10.1007/s12630-024-02692-7