Abstract
Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) catalyzes the O-methylation of catechol hormones, neurotransmitters and certain drugs. It is subject to genetic polymorphism and ethnic differences. High red blood cell (RBC) COMT activity has been correlated with a poor response to levodopa treatment in Parkinson's disease. RBC COMT was determined in a Norwegian population (n=213) of whom 115 were Saami (Lapps).
The Saami had 16.5% lower RBC COMT activity compared to a non-Saami population sample from the northern part of Norway (n=50), 13.9 vs. 16.4 units/ml RBC (U) (P=0.04).
This is the first report of any population with lower RBC COMT activity than a Caucasian population. A wide range of RBC COMT activities was found in the entire population examined (1.3–38.3 U).
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Klemetsdal, B., Straume, B., Giverhaug, T. et al. Low catechol-O-methyltransferase activity in a Saami population. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 46, 231–235 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00192554
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00192554