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Modifications of diazepam binding inhibitor and peripheral benzodiazepine receptors in the lymphocytes of epileptic patients

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Abstract

Recent experimental evidence has suggested that peripheral benzodiazepine receptors (PBR) may play a role in epilepsy and antiepileptic drug action. Since PBR are also present in circulating lymphocytes, and may interact with anticonvulsant drugs, this study was designed to look for possible modifications of these receptors and their endogenous ligand diazepam binding inhibitor (DBI) in the lymphocytes of epileptic patients treated with various drugs. PBR levels were 50% to 80% higher in patients treated with carbamazepine, phenobarbital and valproic acid than in controls and untreated epileptics. DBI levels were significantly increased in the lymphocytes of untreated patients, and showed only a slight further increase after anticonvulsant therapy.

The possibility that PBR and DBI modifications in the lymphocytes of epileptic patients may be linked to the immunological alterations reported in these patients and/or may represent possible markers of neurochemical modifications in the central nervous system is discussed.

Sommario

Recenti dati sperimentali hanno evidenziato che i recettori periferici delle benzodiazepine (PBR) possono ricoprire un ruolo nell'epilessia e nell'azione dei farmaci antiepilettici. Poiché i PBR sono presenti anche sui linfociti in circolo, dove è stato dimostrato che possono interagire con i farmaci antiepilettici, abbiamo ricercato le possibili modificazioni di questi recettori e del loro ligando endogeno diazepam binding inhibitor (DBI) in linfociti di pazienti epilettici trattati con farmaci diversi. La densità recettoriale dei PBR risultava aumentata del 50–80% in pazienti trattati con carbamazepina, fenobarbital, ed acido valproico, rispetto ai controlli ed ai pazienti epilettici non trattati. Le concentrazioni di DBI risultavano significativamente aumentate nei linfociti di pazienti epilettici non trattati e, mostravano solo un limitato aumento dopo terapia.

È tutt'ora in discussione la possibilità che le modificazioni di PBR e DBI nei linfociti di pazienti epilettici possano essere correlate alle alterazioni immunologiche segnalate in questi pazienti e/o possano essere considerate come possibili indicatori di modificazioni neurochimiche presenti nel sistema nervoso centrale.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto Scientifico “Eugenio Medea”, Bosisio Parini, Lecco

    Ferrarese C., Perego M., Marzorati C. & Moretti G.

  2. Divisione di Neurologia, Università di Milano, Ospedale San Gerardo, Via Donizetti 106, 20052, Monza

    Ferrarese C., Bianchi G., Frigo M., Pecora N., Riva R. & Frattola L.

Authors
  1. Ferrarese C.
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  2. Perego M.
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  3. Marzorati C.
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  4. Bianchi G.
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  5. Frigo M.
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  6. Pecora N.
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  7. Riva R.
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  8. Moretti G.
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  9. Frattola L.
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Supported by the Italian Ministry of Health (Ricerca Finalizzata 1989 of Scientific Institute “E. Medea”, performed, 1991–1994).

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Ferrarese, C., Perego, M., Marzorati, C. et al. Modifications of diazepam binding inhibitor and peripheral benzodiazepine receptors in the lymphocytes of epileptic patients. Ital J Neuro Sci 17, 141–145 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02000845

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02000845

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