Abstract
Twenty-two plasma aminoacids were determined by means of ion-exchange chromatography in 16 previously untreated patients with generalized idiopathic epilepsy and in some of their first-degre relatives (26 subjects), and the results were compared with those obtained from a group of 50 healthy controls. The patients were subsequently treated with valproic acid for one month and then re-examined. In the epileptic subjects, statistical analysis showed significant alterations in the plasma levels of a group of aminoacids, including the four associated with neuro-transmission (aspartate, glutamate, glycine, taurine); aspartate, glutamate and glycine levels were also altered in the first-degree relatives. Valproic acid therapy did not affect aminoacid levels.
If further confirmed, these alterations might be considered possible neurochemical markers of epilepsy.
Sommario
22 aminoacidi plasmatici sono stati determinati mediante cromatografia a scambio ionico in 16 pazienti mai trattati in precedenza e affetti da epilessia generalizzata idiopatica, e anche in alcuni dei loro parenti di primo grado (26 soggetti). I risultati sono stati comparati con un gruppo di controllo di 50 soggetti normali.
I pazienti furono poi messi in terapia con acido valproico per un mese, e quindi nuovamente esaminati con le stesse modalità del tempo 0.
Nei soggetti epilettici, l'analisi statistica mostrò significative alterazioni dei livelli plasmatici di alcuni aminoacidi, tra cui i quattro rilevanti per la neurotrasmissione (aspartato, glutamato, glicina, taurina).
L'aspartato, il glutamato e la glicina erano anche alterati nei parenti di primo grado, mentre la terapia con acido valproico non modificò i livelli di aminoacidi.
Le alterazioni qui descritte, se ulteriormente confermate, potrebbero essere considerate come un possibile marker neurochimico di epilessia.
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Monaco, F., Gianelli, M., Schiavella, M.P. et al. Plasma aminoacid alterations in idiopathic generalized epilepsy: An investigation in probands and their first-degree relatives. Ital J Neuro Sci 15, 137–144 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02339205
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02339205