Abstract

Donepezil is an acetylcholine esterase inhibitor that improves symptoms in Alzheimer’s Disease. It is known to stimulate cholinergic receptors on helper T cells and can change the pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines which is important in autoimmune diseases as well as neurodegenerative diseases. The effect of donepezil on modulating helper T cell differentiation the immune system is not clearly understood. To begin to address this question, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were studied from healthy participants' venous blood. The experiments were done using cell culture methods. The cytokines that were measured include anti-inflammatory IL-4, and pro-inflammatory IFNγ and IL-17A. Cell viability was determined with trypan blue after four days of incubation with activation, and different dosages of donepezil (0.8, 4, 20, and 100 ng/mL). Aggregate data illustrated the amount of IL-17A was lower after being treated with 20 ng/mL in comparison with 0.8 and 4 ng/mL. There was no significant change in the amount of IL-4, IFNγ, or cell viability after four days. In conclusion, T cells can be regulated by cholinergic drugs and receptors but the mechanism of action is not fully understood.