digoxin and Glioma

Catabolism of tryptophan and tyrosine in relation to the isoprenoid pathway was studied in neurological and psychiatric disorders. The concentration of trytophan, quinolinic acid, kynurenic acid, serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid was found to be higher in the plasma of patients with all these disorders; while that of tyrosine, dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine was lower. There was increase in free fatty acids and decrease in albumin (factors modulating tryptophan transport) in the plasma of these patients. Concentration of digoxin, a modulator of amino acid transport, and the activity of HMG CoA reductase, which synthesizes digoxin, were higher in these patients; while RBC membrane Na+-K+ ATPase activity showed a decrease. Concentration of plasma ubiquinone (part of which is synthesised from tyrosine) and magnesium was also lower in these patients. No morphine could be detected in the plasma of these patients except in MS. On the other hand, strychnine and nicotine were detectable. These results indicate hypercatabolism of tryptophan and hypocatabolism of tyrosine in these disorders, which could be a consequence of the modulating effect of hypothalamic digoxin on amino acid transport.

Topics: Adult; Biogenic Monoamines; Brain Diseases; Brain Neoplasms; Digoxin; Epilepsy, Generalized; Erythrocytes; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; Female; Glioma; Glycine Agents; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases; Kynurenic Acid; Magnesium; Male; Microvascular Angina; Middle Aged; Morphine; Narcotics; Nicotine; Nicotinic Agonists; Parkinson Disease; Quinolinic Acid; Schizophrenia; Serum Albumin; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase; Strychnine; Tryptophan; Tyrosine; Ubiquinone

Two substances which are products of the isoprenoid pathway, can participate in lipid peroxidation. One is digoxin, which by inhibiting membrane Na(+)-K+ ATPase, causes increase in intracellular Ca2+ and depletion of intracellular Mg2+, both effects contributing to increase in lipid peroxidation. Ubiquinone, another products of the pathway is a powerful membrane antioxidant and its deficiency can also result in defective electron transport and generation of reactive oxygen species. In view of this and also in the light of some preliminary reports on alteration in lipid peroxidation in neuropsychiatric disorders, a study was undertaken on the following aspects in some of these disorders (primary generalised epilepsy, schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and CNS glioma)--1) concentration of digoxin, ubiquinone, activity of HMG CoA reductase and RBC membrane Na(+)-K+ ATPase 2) activity of enzymes involved in free radical scavenging 3) parameters of lipid peroxidation and 4) antioxidant status. The result obtained indicates an increase in the concentration of digoxin and activity of HMG CoA reductase, decrease in ubiquinone levels and in the activity of membrane Na(+)-K+ ATPase. There is increased lipid peroxidation as evidenced from the increase in the concentration of MDA, conjugated dienes, hydroperoxides and NO with decreased antioxidant protection as indicated by decrease in ubiquinone, vit E and reduced glutathione in schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease and CNS glioma. The activity of enzymes involved in free radical scavenging like SOD, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase is decreased in the above diseases. However, there is no evidence of any increase in lipid peroxidation in epilepsy or MS. The role of increased operation of the isoprenoid pathway as evidenced by alteration in the concentration of digoxin and ubiquinone in the generation of free radicals and protection against them in these disorders is discussed.

Topics: Central Nervous System Neoplasms; Digoxin; Epilepsy, Generalized; Free Radicals; Glioma; Humans; Lipid Peroxidation; Multiple Sclerosis; Nervous System Diseases; Parkinson Disease; Schizophrenia; Ubiquinone