Changes in cholinesterase activities after daunorubicin administration to rabbits.

1. Acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase (AChE, BuChE) activities were studied in rabbits with experimentally induced daunorubicin cardiomyopathy. 2. A significant decrease of the plasma BuChE in the daunorubicin group was observed. 3. In the daunorubicin group, AChE activity in the heart was significantly decreased only in the interventricular septum. 4. BuChE activity was significantly decreased in the cardiac septum and ventricles and in the liver following daunorubicin treatment. 5. Changes in cholinesterase activities are probably caused by an effect of daunorubicin oon protein synthesis during the development of certain types of cardiomyopathy.