title: Lymphocyte muscarinic receptors and platelet monoamine oxidase-B as biomarkers of CNS function: effects of age and gender in healthy humans.
abstract: Lymphocyte cholinergic muscarinic receptors (MRs) and platelet monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) activity are considered surrogate markers of the same parameters in the central nervous system. Lymphocyte MR binding and platelet MAO-B activity were measured in a consistent number of healthy human adults and analysed according to gender and age. The mean value±S.D. of MR binding neither differed between males (12.2±10.0fmol/10(6)cells, range: 0.5-37.9, n=86) and females (10.7±9.7fmol/10(6)cells, range: 0.5-39.7, n=69) nor among age groups. MAO-B activity was significantly higher in women (geometric mean: 11.3nmol/mgprotein/h, with 65% of values from 7.3 to 17.6; n=43), than in men (7.7nmol/mgprotein/h, with 65% of values from 4.5 to 13; n=95). Males aged 56-66 years displayed a higher, though not statistically significant, basal enzyme activity than younger subjects. Altogether these data indicate gender-related differences in MAO activity, but not in MR binding, and inter-individual differences in the basal values of both peripheral blood markers in healthy subjects.
authors.affiliation: Toxicology Division, Institute of Pavia, IRCCS Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Via Ferrata 8, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Coccini
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Randine
authors.forename: Anna F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Castoldi
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Balloni
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Baiardi
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Manzo