Abstract
The axoplasmic transport of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) were studied in the sciatic nerves of normal rats and those with neuropathy due to acrylamide by measuring the accumulation of these enzymes proximal to single and double ligatures. Approximately 10 per cent of the enzymes were mobile. The absolute transport rate of AChE was decreased to 287 mm/24h in acrylamide neuropathy compared with 567 mm/24h in normal nerve. The absolute transport rate of ChAT was unchanged (176 and 170 mm/24h). The amount of AChE activity transported in the orthograde direction in acrylamide neuropathy was 2.03 umol/24h, which was slightly less than normal (2.6 umol/24h). The amount of ChAT transported in acrylamide neuropathy was 0.5 umol/24h which was considerably greater than normal (0.2 umol/24h). Specific colchicine binding by neurotubulin from acrylamide intoxicated rats was reduced to 40 per cent of normal though the total amount of neurotubulin appeared to be normal.