cyclic-gmp and Meningitis

Recent evidence suggests the involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in inflammation and demyelination in the brain. To test this hypothesis, we measured NO markers in the cerebrospinal fluid from patients with bacterial meningitis (BM), aseptic meningitis (AM), multiple sclerosis (MS), and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Subjects with non-inflammatory neurologic diseases served as the controls. NO markers were cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) measured with an enzyme immunoassay, and nitrite and nitrate measured with the Griess reaction. Except for BM, cGMP was not increased in AM, MS or GBS compared with the controls. Nitrite and nitrate were unaltered in any of the groups studied. These results do not support the hypothesis that NO is increased in the brain in meningitis, MS or GBS. Otherwise cGMP, nitrite and nitrate in the cerebrospinal fluid do not reflect the increase in NO in the brain.

Topics: Adult; Biomarkers; Brain; Cyclic GMP; Humans; Meningitis; Middle Aged; Multiple Sclerosis; Nitrates; Nitric Oxide; Nitrites; Polyradiculoneuropathy

Cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP) were measured in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma from 7 patients with bacterial meningitis, 9 patients with serous meningitis, 5 patients with idiopathic polyneuritis and 15 reference patients. A significantly (P less than 0.01) higher mean concentration of CSF cAMP was found in serous meningitis (33.8 +/- 12.5 nmol/l) compared to the reference group (20.2 +/- 4.0 nmol/l). No significant difference could be observed between the patients with purulent meningitis compared to the reference group. The CSF cAMP concentration (11.0 +/- 2.8 nmol/l) for idiopathic polyneuritis was significantly (P less than 0.01) lower than in the reference group. No difference in CSF levels of cGMP or in the cAMP/cGMP ratios were detected between the groups. Our data suggest that the ratio between cAMP concentrations in CSF and plasma may aid in the differential diagnosis between serous and purulent meningitis.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Child; Child, Preschool; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic GMP; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Infant; Meningitis; Middle Aged; Polyneuropathies

Cerebrospinal fluid levels of cyclic nucleotides in children with hypertensive communicating hydrocephalus secondary to leptomeningitis were investigated. 3':5'-cAMP and 3':5'-cGMP values were uniformly increased in pre-operative findings, suggesting a "passive" behaviour of the blood brain barrier after the inflammatory lesion. After ventriculo-peritoneal shunt, the mean ratio between the two nucleotides gradually became negative, with a marked increase of cGMP levels, probably related to selective barrier damage. In patients with shunt obstruction, the altered cAMP/cGMP ratio showed a gradual regression towards normal, due to a decrease in the cGMP level. The important role of endocranial pressure changes in the "second messenger" turnover is stressed.

Topics: Blood-Brain Barrier; Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts; Child; Child, Preschool; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic GMP; Humans; Hydrocephalus; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Meningitis