Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), also known as pseudocholinesterase is associated with acetylcholine-mediated neural signaling. Recent studies have unveiled more complex and significant roles in metabolic processes, particularly in lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis. BChE is widely distributed in tissues involved in active lipid metabolism, including liver, intestine, brain, and plasma. This distribution suggests a role in lipid-related processes. BChE can hydrolyze various lipid-related substrates, such as ghrelin, 4-methyumbelliferyl palmitate, arachidonoyl-choline, and essential fatty acids, indicating involvement in lipid hydrolysis and metabolism. The ability to hydrolyze ghrelin, thereby influencing food intake and glucose homeostasis, highlights BChE's role in regulating energy balance and metabolism. There is a link between BChE activity and metabolic disorders. Low activity is associated with higher BMI, type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease. BChE is a useful biomarker for liver damage and inflammation as well. AkrivisBio’s Butyrylcholinesterase Activity Assay is a simple, sensitive means of measuring BChE activity with a detection limit below 1 mU.
