Platelet-monoamine oxidase activity in Reye's syndrome

Platelet and liver monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity (mean +/- SD) was evaluated in patients with liver-biopsy-proven Reye's syndrome. MAO was measured by a radioenzymatic technique with [3H]tyramine as a substrate. A marked decrease in MAO activity [3.3 +/- 2.4 nmol of [3H]4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid formed X (mg protein)-1 X h-1] was observed in platelets on admission in all patients (n = 13) with Reye's syndrome when compared with hospitalized patients without liver disease (n = 8) [9.8 +/- 2.5 nmol of [3H]4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid formed X (mg protein)-1 X h-1] and with liver disease (n = 10) [9.1 +/- 2.0 nmol of [3H]4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid formed X (mg protein)-1 X h-1]. Following recovery from the disease, platelet MAO approached levels that were not significantly different from those of controls. Contrastingly, reduction of hepatic MAO in Reye's syndrome was similar to that seen in patients with liver disease of different etiologies. These studies suggest that reduced platelet MAO activity is a specific abnormality in Reye's syndrome, and it may be representative of generalized impairment of mitochondrial function in these patients. Furthermore, the pattern of liver and platelet MAO activity in Reye's syndrome may allow for the differentiation of this disease from other hepatopathologic conditions.