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Acetylcholine is a very important neurotransmitter in the human body. It affects, among other things, heart function, memory processes and the functioning of the digestive tract. There are many drugs used in medicine that, by affecting this neurotransmitter, heal neurological and even ophthalmic diseases. What else is worth knowing about it?
Acetylcholine – characteristics
Specific molecules that are needed in the nervous system to transmit nerve impulses are called neurotransmitters. Acetylcholine is one of the most important neurotransmitters because it is present in the peripheral nervous system, the central nervous system, and the autonomic nervous system. Acetylcholine is an ester of choline and acetic acid, and it is formed within cholinergic neurons, in which the neurotransmitter is produced from acetyl coenzyme A and choline, with the participation of choline acetyltransferase. It’s only when such a neurotransmitter binds to a receptor and action takes place.
How does acetylcholine work?
As a neurotransmitter, it has many functions. However, it can be said that these functions depend on where acetylcholine works. Two types of receptors can be distinguished for its action: nicotinic receptors and muscarinic receptors. In the central nervous system, acetylcholine functions to influence memory processes and the ability to concentrate. And also keeping the body awake or letting it learn. In turn, in the peripheral nervous system, acetylcholine affects the muscles, among other things, it is responsible for the contractions of selected muscle groups. In the autonomic nervous system, it is secreted by pre-ganglion fibers and post-ganglion fibers, and it is also secreted in the parasympathetic system, where it is responsible, among other things, for the drop in blood pressure, slowing down the heart rate, stimulating gastrointestinal peristalsis, stimulating glands, e.g. salivary glands, or constriction of the pupils. . Acetylcholine pathologies, or diseases related to it
As a neurotransmitter, acetylcholine is very important for the functioning of the entire body, and whatever pathology you may have can lead to a wide variety of diseases. One of them is myasthenia gravis, in which patients develop antibodies against acetylcholine receptors, which in turn leads to reduced muscle strength. Another disorder of acetylcholine is Alzheimer’s disease, in which acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are administered for therapeutic purposes, which block the activity of the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine.
The use of acetylcholine in drugs
Acetylcholine is very often used in medicine. However, these are mainly substances that have a similar or completely opposite effect. For example, parasympathomimetric drugs such as pilocarpine for the treatment of glaucoma have a similar effect. In turn, drugs with the opposite effect are called parasymatholytic drugs, including ipratropium bromide, which is used to widen the airways.
Interestingly, the drug that blocks the release of acetylcholine from nerve endings is a botulinum toxin known as botox. Most often it is associated with anti-wrinkle treatments, as a result of which the muscles are immobilized and the existing wrinkles do not deepen, because the nerves do not get any impulses, and therefore, for several months after the procedure, the person not only has no visible wrinkles on the skin, but also does not fix the skin. her. However, botulinum toxin is also used in the treatment of torticollis, excessive sweating or in the treatment of blepharospasm.