Cardiac Acetylcholinesterase Molecular Forms and Choline Acetyltransferase in the Dahl (Salt-Sensitive) Hypertensive Strain of Rats: A Regional Study

A regional study of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) molecular forms and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in the hearts of Dahlsalt sensitive (DS) and salt resistant (DR) rats was performed in animals administered either 8% or 0.35% dietary NaCl. Atria isolated from DS rats, regardless of dietary NaCl intake, had lower activities of all of the AChE molecular forms and ChAT when compared to their dietary-matched DR controls. In the ventricles, the activities of AChE molecular forms and ChAT were lower in DS rats compared to dietary-matched DR rats only when 8% NaCl diets were administered. The percent contribution of each of the molecular forms to the total AChE pool was not affected by animal strain or diet.