ISSN:
1471-4159
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1-associated dementia is a frequent consequence of HIV infection and is associated with neuronal deficits. Increased concentrations of the kynurenine pathway metabolites 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK) and quinolinic acid (QA) may contribute to this neuronal damage. We measured 3-HK concentrations and the activity of its catabolising enzyme, 3-hydroxykynureninase, in postmortem brain tissue from eight controls and 32 HIV-positive patients, including a group that exhibited dementia. 3-HK concentrations were significantly increased (over threefold) in the HIV-positive group when compared with controls. This increase was greater in those patients with dementia, but it was still apparent in the nondemented cases. 3-Hydroxykynureninase activity was significantly increased in the HIV-infected group compared with the control values. The effect was apparent in both nondementia and dementia cases, although the latter showed a slightly greater increase. The 3-HK content increase is thus unrelated to a reduction in activity of this enzyme and is likely to reflect an overall increase in the kynurenic metabolic pathway. Elevated levels of the neurotoxin 3-HK may contribute to the neuronal deficits underlying HIV-associated dementia.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1471-4159.1995.64020932.x
