Inflammation, the neopterin--tetrahydrobiopterin pathway, and nitric
oxide levels in children and adolescents with obsessive--compulsive
disorder
Abstract
Background: Approximately 80% of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD)
cases begin in childhood. Various genetic, psychological, sociological
factors and biological mechanisms are involved in the etiology of OCD.
To the best of our knowledge the relationship between inflammation and
OCD is unclear. Chronic inflammation was shown to increase neopterin and
decrease tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) levels by activating the
neopterin–BH4 pathway. In addition, studies have shown that it can be
an important biomarker in psychiatric disorders. Objective: This study
compared serum TGF-1β, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17,
neopterin, BH4, and nitric oxide (NO) levels between child and
adolescent patients diagnosed with OCD and a healthy control group.
Methods: The study included 29 patients diagnosed with OCD (comorbidity
free, drug free) and 28 healthy children as an aged and sex matched
control group. For the measurement of neurobiological markers, venous
blood samples were collected, and analyzed by using enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: All cytokine levels were found to
be low, but this decrease was statistically significant only for TGF-1β.
The neopterin and NO levels were significantly higher and BH4
significantly lower in children with OCD compared to the healthy control
group. Conclusion: The results of our study show that the levels of
TGF-1β and NO and the activation of the neopterin–BH4 pathway may be
implicated in the pathophysiology of OCD. Additionally, anti-oxidant and
BH4 adjuvant therapies should be investigated as treatment options for
OCD.