RED-CELL OUABAIN-SENSITIVE NA+-K+-ADENOSINE TRIPHOSPHATASE - A STATE MARKER IN AFFECTIVE-DISORDER INVERSELY RELATED TO PLASMA-CORTISOL

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 17  (9) , 981-992
Abstract
Ouabain-sensitive Na+-K+-stimualted ATPase was measured in red cell membranes using a spectrophotometric assay. The mean enzyme level in patients in the depressed state (1.2 nM/mg protein per min .+-. 0.18 SEM) was lower than that in well-state patients (2.0 .+-. 0.26) and hypomanic patients (2.4 .+-. 0.31). Li treatment itself did not alter ATPase levels. Levels in patients in the well state were not significantly different from controls and thus ATPase did not constitute a trait marker for affective illness. Plasma cortisol level was higher in well-state patients (15.9 .mu.g/dl .+-. 1.46) than in controls (11.5 .+-. 0.75). There were no significant differences in cortisol in these single morning samples during different mood states. Cortisol level correlated negatively with ATPase level in the total group of patients (r = -0.42, P < 0.005), especially in those who were euthymic. These data indicate a relationship between cortisol and ATPase levels in affectively ill patients. Ouabain-sensitive NaK ATPase may be useful as an indicator of state in affective illness; plasma cortisol may be continuously elevated in some individuals with affective disorder.

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