title: Cerebrospinal fluid nitric oxide levels in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.
abstract: Oxidative damage plays a role in neurodegenerative diseases. Levels of cerebrospinal fluid nitrite and nitrate levels (oxidation products that provide an indirect estimation of nitric oxide) were investigated in relation to clinical and laboratory features in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (n = 47) and age-matched control (n = 43) groups. Significantly decreased levels of nitrite (median, 4.91 micromol/L) and nitrate (median, 6.14 micromol/L) were found in the patients. Nitrite and nitrate levels did not correlate with clinical or laboratory findings, except for presence of myoclonus. Cerebrospinal fluid nitrite levels of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis patients without myoclonic jerks were significantly higher than in those with myoclonus (median, 15.63 vs 4.34 micromol/L, respectively). The higher levels of nitrite in these patients can be explained by short disease duration and early stages of disease. Nitrate levels in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis patients with myoclonus (median, 9.26 micromol/L) were higher than in those without myoclonus (median, 4.25 micromol/L). Microbleeding resulting in conversion of nitrite to nitrate and increased production of superoxide can be suggested as possible mechanisms underlying these findings.
authors: Department of Pediatric Neurology, Dr. Sami Ulus Children's Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. dayilmaz2002@yahoo.com
authors: Deniz
authors: D
authors: Yilmaz
authors: Deniz
authors: D
authors: Yüksel
authors: Nesrin
authors: N
authors: Senbil
authors: Sude
authors: S
authors: Eminzade
authors: Kamer
authors: K
authors: Kilinç
authors: Banu
authors: B
authors: Anlar
authors: Yavuz
authors: Y
authors: Gürer
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D019586:Intracranial Hypertension / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D007938:Leukemia / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D008297:Male; D008457:Measles / Q000276:immunology; D009207:Myoclonus / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D009566:Nitrates / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D009573:Nitrites / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013344:Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007136:Immunoglobulins; D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites; D009569:Nitric Oxide