Br J Ophthalmol 1998;82:897-900 ( August )
Serotoninergic status in patients with hereditary vascular
retinopathy syndrome
C W J M Storimans,a
D Fekkes,b
A van Dalen,b
E D Bleeker-Wagemakers,c
J A Oosterhuisd
a Medical Centre
Molendael, Soest, b Section Pathophysiology of Behaviour, Erasmus
University, Rotterdam, c The Netherlands Ophthalmic Research Institute,
Amsterdam, d Ophthalmological
Department, Leiden University
Correspondence to: D Fekkes, Section of Pathophysiology
of Behaviour, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, PO Box 1700, 3000 DR
Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Accepted for publication 22 January 1998
AIM/BACKGROUND
In a
new autosomal dominant syndrome (which the authors called hereditary
vascular retinopathy (HVR)) cerebral ischaemia, Raynaud's phenomenon,
and migraine are the most striking features. As serotonin (5-HT) is
known to play a role in vasospastic processes, Raynaud's phenomenon,
and migraine they wondered whether the serotoninergic status in
patients with HVR is different. Therefore, it was decided to
investigate some serotoninergic variables in these patients.
METHODSThe study was
conducted in 12 patients with HVR, 10 relatives, and 19 healthy
controls. The levels of intraplatelet and plasma 5-HT were measured, as
well as the plasma levels of its precursor amino acid tryptophan and
the ratio of tryptophan to the large neutral amino acids, which compete
with the transport of tryptophan through the blood-brain barrier.
RESULTSIn both the
patients with HVR and in nine relatives the concentrations of 5-HT in
plasma and platelets were significantly lower than in controls. The
plasma levels of tryptophan and the tryptophan ratio were also found to
be lower in the patient group compared with the control group, but not
in the relatives.
CONCLUSIONThe
observed alterations in 5-HT and its precursor tryptophan strongly
suggest the existence of a malfunctioning of the serotoninergic system
in the HVR syndrome.
Keywords:
vascular retinopathy;
serotonin;
tryptophan
© 1998 by British Journal of Ophthalmology
