Polymorphonuclear leukocyte nitrite content and antioxidant enzymes in Parkinson's disease patients.
OBJECTIVE
The present study was undertaken to evaluate the alteration in the peripheral neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in Parkinson's disease patients. Therefore, basal nitrite content in PMNs, platelets and in the plasma of PD and control Indian population were evaluated.


METHODS
We estimated nitrite, the nitric oxide (NO) metabolite, in neutrophils (PMNs), platelets and in plasma of control and in L-dopa treated Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. We also measured the activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the PMNs.


RESULTS
We observed a significant increase in the basal nitrite content in PMNs of PD patients without any alteration in the plasma and platelets. Thus, the change was specific to PMNs. Catalase activity was significantly less in the PMNs of PD patients, but SOD and GPx remained unaltered.


CONCLUSIONS
Results obtained in the PD patients exhibit an increase in the NOS activity in PMNs. Thus, involvement of NO is suggested in PD.
Barthwal
M K
MK
Pharmacology Division, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India.
Srivastava
N
N
Shukla
R
R
Nag
D
D
Seth
P K
PK
Srimal
R C
RC
Dikshit
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000201:enzymology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism*; D009573:Nitrites / Q000378:metabolism; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000201:enzymology*
D009573:Nitrites; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase