Eicosanoid and amino acid metabolism in transient acute psychoses with psychedelic symptoms.
D Fekkes, W T Bode, F J Zijlstra, L Pepplinkhuizen
Prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and essential fatty acids April 1996 DOI: 10.1016/s0952-3278(96)90056-3 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case-control study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 32 |
| Population | 15 patients with transient acute psychosis and distorted perceptions and 17 normal controls |
| Key findings | Plasma thromboxane B2 was significantly higher and serine and tryptophan significantly lower in patients with transient acute psychosis than in controls, while mean prostaglandin E did not differ significantly despite wide variation among patients. The authors state these results are consistent with impaired glutathione metabolism in transient psychotic states. |
Abstract
It has been hypothesized that a disturbance of glutathione (GSH) metabolism might be a common factor in many psychiatric disorders. The aim of the present study was to test this hypothesis in transient acute psychotic patients with distorted perceptions. Since the metabolism of GSH is related to that of thromboxane B2 (TXB2), prostaglandin E (PGE) and some amino acids, we determined these substances in the plasma of 15 patients and 17 normal controls. Plasma concentrations of TXB2 were significantly higher and concentrations of serine and tryptophan were significantly lower in patients than in controls. Large variation was observed in plasma PGE levels in patients, although mean values did not differ significantly from controls. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the metabolism of GSH is impaired in transient psychotic states.