title: Xanthurenic acid flow in 24-hour urine following L-tryptophan loading in depressive patients.
abstract: The xanthurenic acid (XA) flow in 24-hour urine following L-tryptophan loading was determined in a control group and in depressive patients divided into two DSM-III categories: minor depression (dysthymic disorder, atypical depression, adaptation disorder with depressive mood), and major depression. The XA flow is not significantly (p = 0.15) different in these categories of depression and in the control group. The number of patients with an abnormal XA flow (cut-off value greater than or equal to 106.8 mu mol/24 hours) is not significantly different among these groups (p = 0.40). The XA flow is therefore not relevant whether for depression or major depression. The XA flow in 24-hour urine following L-tryptophan loading decreases with age (p = 0.006) and increases with the 24-hour urinary output (p = 0.02). Women excrete significantly more XA (p = 0.02) than men. One must take age, 24-hour urinary output and sex into account for the interpretation of the XA data.
mesh_terms: D000275:Adjustment Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D014364:Tryptophan; D014977:Xanthurenates / Q000652:urine*
chemical_list: D014977:Xanthurenates; C028330:xanthurenic acid; D014364:Tryptophan; D003404:Creatinine