Is carbachol degraded by acetylcholinesterase?
Christopher Harper
Updated on April 04, 2026
Acetylcholine and carbachol bind to the same acetylcholine receptors, but, unlike acetylcholine, carbachol is resistant to hydrolysis by acetylcholinesterase. The acetylcholine sensitivity of normal cardiac ganglion cells was increased by inhibiting extracellular acetylcholinesterase with echothiophate.
Is carbachol a acetylcholinesterase substrate?
The kinetics and thermodynamics of this reaction are of special interest because carbachol is an isosteric analog of the physiological substrate acetylcholine. We show that the reaction can be monitored with thioflavin T as a fluorescent reporter group.
What does the acetylcholinesterase enzyme do?
The enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) terminates synaptic transmission at cholinergic synapses by hydrolyzing the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
Is carbachol susceptible to cholinesterase?
Like pilocarpine, carbachol is not destroyed by cholinesterase. Carbachol is an excellent miotic agent that could be used more frequently for the treatment of glaucoma.
What does carbachol treat?
Carbachol is a parasympathomimetic that mimics the effect of acetylcholine on both the muscarinic and nicotinic receptors. This drug is administered ocularly to induce miosis to reduce intraocular pressure in the treatment of glaucoma. Carbachol is also used to stimulate micturition by contraction of detrusor muscle.
What receptor does carbachol bind to?
Carbachol, also known as carbamylcholine and sold under the brand name Miostat among others, is a cholinomimetic drug that binds and activates acetylcholine receptors. Thus it is classified as a cholinergic agonist.
Is carbachol a neurotransmitter?
Despite a lack of direct contractile effect, acetylcholine and carbachol both enhanced neurotransmission to the guinea-pig prostate gland in a concentration-dependent manner. Carbachol was the more potent.
How does carbachol treat glaucoma?
Why is acetylcholinesterase important?
Acetylcholinesterase catalyzes the breakdown of acetylcholine molecules once the communication between cells is complete. This is an essential function. Compounds like Sarin and VX nerve agents, which inhibit the action of acetylcholinesterase, are highly toxic, and fatal even in small quantities.
What is carbachol used for?
CARBACHOL (kahr buh kawl) is used in the eye to decrease pressure in certain kinds of glaucoma. It is also used to prepare the eyes for surgery.
Why is carbachol used instead of acetylcholine?
Carbachol, also known as carbamylcholine, acts as an acetylcholine receptor agonist. It is a dual-action parasympathomimetic that produces direct motor endplate stimulation, as well as an indirect parasympathomimetic effect by inhibition of acetylcholinesterase. It stimulates both muscarinic and nicotinic receptors.