Methacholine

Methacholine

Systematic (IUPAC) name
2-(Acetyloxy)-N,N,N-trimethylpropan-1-aminium
Clinical data
Trade names	Provocholine
AHFS/Drugs.com	International Drug Names
Identifiers
CAS Number	55-92-5 62-51-1 (chloride)
ATC code	none
PubChem	CID 6114
DrugBank	DB06709
ChemSpider	5888
UNII	03V657ZD3V
KEGG	D04970
ChEBI	CHEBI:50142
ChEMBL	CHEMBL978
Chemical data
Formula	C8H18NO2^+
Molar mass	160.234 g/mol
SMILES [Cl-].O=C(OC(C)C[N+](C)(C)C)C
InChI InChI=1S/C8H18NO2.ClH/c1-7(11-8(2)10)6-9(3,4)5;/h7H,6H2,1-5H3;1H/q+1;/p-1 Key:JHPHVAVFUYTVCL-UHFFFAOYSA-M
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Methacholine (INN, USAN) (trade name Provocholine) is a synthetic choline ester that acts as a non-selective muscarinic receptor agonist in the parasympathetic nervous system.

Uses

Methacholine is primarily used to diagnose bronchial hyperreactivity,^[1] which is the hallmark of asthma and also occurs in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This is accomplished through the bronchial challenge test, or methacholine challenge, in which a subject inhales aerosolized methacholine, leading to bronchoconstriction. Other therapeutic uses are limited by its adverse cardiovascular effects, such as bradycardia and hypotension, which arise from its function as a cholinomimetic.

Pharmacology

It is highly active at all of the muscarinic receptors, but has little effect on the nicotinic receptors. Methacholine has a charged quaternary amine structure, rendering it insoluble to lipid cell membranes. Clinically, this means that it will not cross the blood–brain barrier and has poor absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. It is broken down at a relatively slow rate within the body, due to its relative resistance to acetylcholinesterases.

Methacholine has a β-methyl group which provides selectivity towards muscarinic receptors as compared to nicotinic receptors. The quaternary ammonium group is essential for activity. The ester makes it susceptible to the enzyme acetylcholine esterase.^[2]

Contraindications

Use of methacholine is contraindicated in patients with recent heart attack or stroke, uncontrolled hypertension, known severe airway disease, or an aortic aneurysm. It may be used with caution by nursing or pregnant mothers and patients taking certain medications for myasthenia gravis.^[3]

References

1. Birnbaum S, Barreiro TJ (June 2007). "Methacholine challenge testing: identifying its diagnostic role, testing, coding, and reimbursement". Chest 131 (6): 1932–5. doi:10.1378/chest.06-1385. PMID 17565027.
2. Medicinal Chemistry of Adrenergics and Cholinergics
3. Valentin Popa (2001). "ATS guidelines for methacholine and exercise challenge testing". American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 163 (1): 292–293. doi:10.1164/ajrccm.163.1.16310b.

External links

• Provocholine.com