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Nitrite, neopterin levels and tryptophan degradation in allergic conjunctivitis

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Abstract

Purpose

The study aims to evaluate changes in neopterin levels and tryptophan degradation which are induced by Th1-type immune response and nitric oxide metabolism which may be involved in allergic inflammation.

Methods

Serum nitrite, kynurenine, tryptophan and neopterin levels were evaluated in 36 patients with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, along with these values in 41 healthy subjects. All these parameters have been compared with symptom and sign scores.

Results

Tryptophan and kynurenine concentrations were not significantly changed, while serum nitrite concentrations were significantly low, and neopterin levels were significantly increased in patients compared to healthy subjects (p < 0.05). There was a significant relationship between symptom scores and serum nitrite levels in patients.

Conclusions

This preliminary study demonstrates that serum nitric oxide metabolism might have a role in allergic conjunctivitis. Serum neopterin levels but not tryptophan metabolism could serve as a biomarker in patients with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Scientific Research Council of Atatürk University (Number 2014/169).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Regional Training and Research Hospital, Erzurum, Turkey

    Emine Cinici

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey

    Emine Cinici

  3. Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Atatürk University, 90-25240, Erzurum, Turkey

    Saziye Sezin Palabiyik

  4. Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Hande Sipahi

  5. Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey

    Terken Baydar

Authors
  1. Emine Cinici
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  2. Saziye Sezin Palabiyik
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  3. Hande Sipahi
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  4. Terken Baydar
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Saziye Sezin Palabiyik.

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The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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Cinici, E., Palabiyik, S.S., Sipahi, H. et al. Nitrite, neopterin levels and tryptophan degradation in allergic conjunctivitis. Int Ophthalmol 38, 1871–1878 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-017-0669-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-017-0669-1

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