Retinol-binding protein and retinol analysis in cerebrospinal fluid and serum of patients with and without idiopathic intracranial hypertension.
BACKGROUND
Several studies have implicated vitamin A-related compounds in the pathogenesis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). The goal of this study was to compare cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum concentrations of retinol and retinol-binding protein (RBP) in subjects with and without IIH.


METHODS
CSF and serum samples were collected from 87 subjects. The study population was composed of subjects with IIH (IIH group, n = 28), subjects with non-IIH neurologic conditions (neurology controls, n = 42), and subjects undergoing preoperative lumbar puncture but with no known neurologic conditions (anesthesia controls, n = 17). RBP levels (nM) were determined using radial immunodiffusion, and retinol levels (nM) were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography.


RESULTS
The retinol/RBP ratio was greater in CSF than in serum, especially in subjects with IIH.


CONCLUSIONS
The finding of increased levels of unbound retinol in the CSF of subjects with IIH provides further evidence that vitamin A may be involved in the pathogenesis of IIH. Comparative statistical analyses revealed multivariate relationships that demonstrate the need to further investigate correlations between vitamin A and RBP levels in CSF and serum.
Warner
Judith E A
JE
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132, USA. judith.warner@hsc.utah.edu
Larson
Alexander J
AJ
Bhosale
Prakash
P
Digre
Kathleen B
KB
Henley
Courtney
C
Alder
Stephen C
SC
Katz
Bradley J
BJ
Bernstein
Paul S
PS
D000328:Adult; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D011559:Pseudotumor Cerebri / Q000097:blood* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay / Q000379:methods; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D013057:Spectrum Analysis; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*
D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins; D014801:Vitamin A