A Study on the Real State of Serum Cholinestrase Activity Levels in Citrut Fruit Area / 日本農村医学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

The serum cholinestrase activity levels of 378-433 residents of the citrus fruit area of Ikata-cho, Nishiuwa-gun, Ehime Prefecture were measured three times (nine times in the N area) according to the Shibata-Takahashi method in an attempt to conduct an epidemiological study on the factors responsible for the drops.<BR>1. The distribution of serum cholinestrase activity levels is practically normal. The mean value and standard deviation are 0.720±0.116-0.751±0.15&Delta;pH for males and 0.724±0.152-0.749±0.138&Delta;pH. The rate of persons with slight drops (0.60-0.75&Delta;pH) stands at 5.18-64.4%, that of persons with intermediate drops (0.30-0.55&Delta;pH) at 4.3-13.0% and that of persons with high drops (less than 0.30&Delta;pH) at 0%.<BR>2. There is no sex and area differences in the serum cholinestrase activity level, but significantly lower values are registered by aged males (in their 60's and 70's) and females in their 30's than the mean value.<BR>3. It is surmised that the age, physical constitution and other physiological factors, heat, fatigue, and food are correlated to the drops in the cholinestrase activity level. The effects of organophosphorous insecticides and other agents harmful to serum cholinestrase are unknown.<BR>4. The incidence of anemia is high among those whose serum cholinestrase level is low at all times. Among the males, a positive correlation with the Hb value is observed. In addition, there is one case seized with uterine myoma.