title: Increased oxidative stress and DNA damage in bipolar disorder: a twin-case report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is an emerging body of data suggesting that oxidative stress may be associated with the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder (BD). In the present study we investigated the oxidative stress profile in two monozygotic twins during a manic episode.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two monozygotic twins diagnosed as currently manic by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV were studied. Serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were measured as parameters of oxidative stress. DNA damage was assessed using the single cell gel electrophoresis technique (Comet Assay). All biochemical measures were conducted at baseline and after a 6-week treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bipolar twins had higher TBARS, SOD and DNA damage, and lower CAT than the healthy control. TBARS and SOD were normalized after mood stabilization, whereas CAT and DNA damage remained altered at week 6.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings support that oxidative stress may play a role in the pathophysiology of BD and that pharmacological treatment may exert antioxidant effects. Studies with larger samples are warranted to further clarify this issue.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600/Anexo, 90035-003 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Benício N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Frey
authors.forename: Ana C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Andreazza
authors.forename: Maurício
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kunz
authors.forename: Fabiano A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Quevedo
authors.forename: Mirian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salvador
authors.forename: Carlos Alberto
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.forename: Flávio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kapczinski
mesh_terms: D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D002746:Chlorpromazine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020552:Comet Assay; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016651:Lithium Carbonate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000378:metabolism; D014427:Twins
chemical_list: D018692:Antimanic Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D002746:Chlorpromazine