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“Doctors from the German Charite clinic confirmed that Navalny was poisoned with a substance from the group of cholinesterase inhibitors,” wrote Navalny’s spokeswoman Kira Jarmysz. What are cholinesterases and why is blocking them so harmful? We explain.
Alexey Navalny, one of Our Country’s most important opposition activists, was hospitalized in Omsk, Siberia, on Thursday after feeling unwell on board the plane. His associates believed from the beginning that an attempt was made to poison him. This thesis was confirmed on Monday by doctors from a German hospital.
Czym otruto Nawalnego?
According to German doctors, Navalny was poisoned with one of the cholinesterase inhibitors, i.e. agents that block the action of cholinesterases.
«Doctors of the German Charite clinic confirmed that Navalny was poisoned with a substance from the group of cholinesterase inhibitors. Alexei’s condition is stable, but he is still in a coma. There are no forecasts yet »wrote a spokeswoman for Navalny.
A German clinic said that the specific substance that was attempted to poison Navalny is not yet known, and the patient is in the intensive care unit and is still in a coma.
How do cholinesterase inhibitors work?
Cholinesterase inhibitors are compounds that block the action of enzymes from the group of cholinesterases, also called choline esterases. To explain what their use leads to, we must first describe how cholinesterases themselves work in our body.
Cholinesterases are responsible for the hydrolysis of choline esters, i.e. the breakdown of choline esters into choline and fatty acid. Importantly, these decomposed choline esters play the role of neurotransmitters in our body, ensuring contact between neurons and muscles or glands.
See also: Radioactive, toxic, sneaky – the most famous poisons used by s
Why is the breakdown of neurotransmitters so important, including one of the most important – acetylcholine, which is a choline ester?
Let’s explain this with an example. The action of acetylcholine on the muscle causes its contraction. In order to induce muscle relaxation, the breakdown of this relationship is essential. Otherwise, when the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine is not working, the muscle remains tense all the time.
Thus, incorrect action of cholinesterases leads to a significant increase in, among others, Acetylcholine levels, resulting in a strong tension in all muscles. This leads to suffocation in a very short time due to the contraction of the intercostal muscles and the diaphragm.
Therefore, if used inappropriately, cholinesterase inhibitors can become a life-threatening poison. However, they are not always only harmful. Some choline esterase inhibitors can also be used as drugs, incl. in the treatment of patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
See also: What is Novichok that was attempted to poison Sergei Skripal?
Nowiczok block cholinesterases
Well-known inhibitors of cholinesterases are novice cells, a version of the V-group paralytic and convulsive agents. These compounds are extremely toxic and therefore have been used as warfare gases known as sarin, soman and VX.
Poisoned victims – politicians, dissidents and spies
Alexei Navalny is a 44-year-old lawyer, publicist and political activist. In 2012, The Wall Street Journal described him as “the man Vladimir Putin fears the most”. In 2016, he launched a campaign ahead of the 2018 presidential election, but Our Country’s Central Election Commission blocked his candidacy in December 2017.
See also:
- The seven most dangerous poisons for humans
- Beautiful but deadly. These are the world’s most poisonous plants
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