Esterase profile of O-phosphorylated ethyltrifluorolactates in prediction of their therapeutic and toxic effects

81 The use of anticholinesterase compounds in medi cine, veterinary practice and agricultural chemistry is based on their common mechanism of action, which is determined by the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7, AChE) [1]. Many cholinesterase inhibi tors, in addition to AChE, interact with other serine esterases, that can lead to both toxic and therapeutic effects [2]. Toxic and therapeutic effects resulting from the inhibition by organophosphorus compounds (OPCs) of four serine esterases—acetylcholinest erase, neuropathy target esterase (EC 3.1.1.5, NTE), butyrylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7, BChE), and car boxylesterase (EC 3.1.1.1, CaE)—are shown in Scheme 1, where the effects that determine the toxic action of OPCs are shown in italic.