LOW PLATELET MAO ACTIVITY IN PSYCHIATRIC-PATIENTS AND PLASMA FACTORS - NO EVIDENCE FOR INHIBITORY INFLUENCES ON MAO IN THE CIRCULATING PLATELET POPULATION

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  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 16  (1) , 21-33
Abstract
The influence of plasma and low and high MW plasma fractions on MAO (monoamine oxidase) activity in platelets from controls were studied. Plasmas were obtained from patients with decreased platelet MAO activity and suffering from chronic schizophrenia of different syndrome subtypes, unipolar depressions and alcoholism. Up to 50% inhibition and activation of MAO activity in control platelets were measured after incubation with plasmas or plasma fractions. The frequency and manner of MAO activity alterations were not different between the plasmas from schizophrenic, depressive and alcoholic patients. Plasmas from schizophrenic patients without medication or on neuroleptics showed similar inhibition and/or activation of MAO activity in platelets from controls. Apparently, a number of low and high MW substances can trigger platelet MAO activity changes. These plasma factors do not appear to be characteristic of schizophrenic patients with low platelet MAO activity.