BACKGROUND: There is an increasing interest in the role of nitric oxide (NO) and pterines in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders. The results so far show an inconsistent pattern. METHODS: In the present study, neopterin and a measure of NO synthesis in plasma of symptomatic and euthymic bipolar affective patients were compared to those of patients with a major depression and healthy controls. As an index of NO synthesis, the ratio of the amino acids citrulline and arginine (Cit-Arg ratio) was calculated. Neopterin is a bypass product in the synthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin, which is a cofactor of NO synthase. RESULTS: The results indicate that both neopterin and the Cit-Arg ratio are decreased in bipolar affective patients, irrespective of their symptomatic status. In addition, an association between the values of the Cit-Arg ratio and the neopterin level was observed, which is suggestive for a low tetrahydrobiopterin activity. CONCLUSION: NO formation may be endangered in bipolar affective disorder.
BACKGROUND: There is an increasing interest in the role of nitric oxide (NO) and pterines in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders. The results so far show an inconsistent pattern. METHODS: In the present study, neopterin and a measure of NO synthesis in plasma of symptomatic and euthymic bipolar affective patients were compared to those of patients with a major depression and healthy controls. As an index of NO synthesis, the ratio of the amino acids citrulline and arginine (Cit-Arg ratio) was calculated. Neopterin is a bypass product in the synthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin, which is a cofactor of NO synthase. RESULTS: The results indicate that both neopterin and the Cit-Arg ratio are decreased in bipolar affective patients, irrespective of their symptomatic status. In addition, an association between the values of the Cit-Arg ratio and the neopterin level was observed, which is suggestive for a low tetrahydrobiopterin activity. CONCLUSION: NO formation may be endangered in bipolar affective disorder.
Authors: Jonathan Savitz; Mark Barton Frank; Teresa Victor; Melissa Bebak; Julie H Marino; Patrick S F Bellgowan; Brett A McKinney; Jerzy Bodurka; T Kent Teague; Wayne C Drevets Journal: Brain Behav Immun Date: 2012-10-12 Impact factor: 7.217
Authors: Mark A Reynolds; Anwar T Merchant; Teodor T Postolache; Hina Makkar; Abhishek Wadhawan; Aline Dagdag Journal: Pteridines Date: 2018-11-13 Impact factor: 0.581