Nitric oxide and neopterin in bipolar affective disorder
R Hoekstra1, D Fekkes, L Pepplinkhuizen
1Delta Psychiatric Centre, Poortugaal, The Netherlands. r.hoekstra@deltapsy.nl
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.
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