Estimation of plasma cholinesterase enzyme activity and phenotypes in Pakistani population

ABSTRACT

The use of plasma cholinesterase for forensic purpose is no different from the use of other enzymes that are genetically variable. There are two advantages, first of all, it is very stable and it deteriorates slowly so that old malodorous blood samples can be used for phenotyping and also scrapings of dried blood stains, when redesolved in buffer, can be used. The second advantage is that the heterozygote E1uE1a can easily be recognised so that pedigree determinations are usually clear. The frequency of different genes varies with different ethnic populations. The real understanding of the genetics of plasma cholinesterase variations is essential for interpretation of data for forensic purposes. The classical method requires a spectrophotometer to monitor at 240nm wave length. As data from many countries were taken, Pakistani data was not available, so this data will enable us in the genetic determination, for treatment of Organophosphorous poisoning cases, and in case of Suxamethonium sensitive individuals