Biogenic amines metabolism and blood chemistry of psychiatric patients

The metabolism of biogenic amines and blood chemistry of psychiatric patients were investigated. Eighty newly admitted psychiatric patients suffering from schizophrenia, hypomania, mania and paranoid disorder, and matched with fifteen normal subjects were used for the study. Blood was collected and centrifuged, after which serum was extracted. Serum concentrations of biogenic amines, namely epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin were determined using spectrofluorimetric method. Serum concentration of 5-HIAA, activities of alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase were determined. The concentrations of serum protein, albumin, Na+, K+, Cl- and CO2 in the psychiatric patients and control subjects were determined using Synchron CX5 automated spectrophotometer. Results of the study showed that the concentrations of serum epinephrine and norepinephrine in the psychiatric patients were significantly increased, while the concentrations of dopamine and serotonin were significantly decreased, as compared with the controls. Serum 5-HIAA levels were significantly elevated in all psychiatric patients compared with the controls. There was a marked elevation of the activities of alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase in all psychiatric syndromes, with the exception of paranoid disorder, which was reduced. Data of the study indicate that metabolism of biogenic amines and concentrations of serum proteins, enzymes and some electrolytes were significantly affected in psychiatric patients suffering form schizophrenia, hypomania, mania and paranoid disorder.