In vitro reactivation of acetylcholinesterase using the oxime K027.

The ability of a new bisquaternary oxime, K027 (1-[4-hydroxyiminomethylpyridinium]-3-[carbamoylpyridinium] propane dibromide), to reactivate the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibited by the nerve agents Tabun, sarin and VX was evaluated. Its reactivation potency was compared to the AChE reactivators pralidoxime (2-PAM), obidoxime and HI-6; K027 seems a good reactivator of organophosphates-inhibited AChE. Its reactivation potency is lower compared to the other oximes for reactivation of sarin-inhibited AChE, but it is sufficient to significantly increase the activity of sarin-inhibited AChE. Its reactivation ability is comparable to obidoxime for reactivation of VX- and tabun-inhibited AChE and is higher than the reactivation potency of HI-6, for tabun-inhibited AChE. HI-6 is currently regarded the most promising reactivator of organophosphates-inhibited AChE.