The dynamics of choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase changes in dog spinal cord during ischemia.

Activities of choline acetyltransferase (CAT) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were measured in several regions of the spinal cord, spinal ganglia and the sciatic nerve following ligation of the abdominal aorta just below the renal arteries for 20; 40; 80 and 120 min. Aortic ligation for 40 min produced a significant increase in the activities of both enzymes in the lumbar spinal cord. After ligation lasting 80 min the activity of CAT dropped under the control level and that of AChE remained elevated and returned to the control level in animals sacrificed 120 after the ligation. Similar but smaller AChE elevation was also found in the lower thoracic and the sacral spinal cord, respectively. In ischemic spinal ganglia and the sciatic nerve a decrease in AChE activity was found.