Correlation between Neopterin, Biopterin and Nitrite/Nitrate in Cerebrospinal Fluid in Child Patients with Neurological Diseases

Abstract Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neopterin been previously reported in various diseases. In this study CSF neopterin, biopterin, and nitrite/nitrate (NOx) Contents were measured and the correlation between them in child patients with various kinds of neurological diseases were investigated. Changes in the CSF neopterin levels in patients with bacterial meningitis were similar to those previously reported for those with bacterial meningitis; on the 2th hospital day they were significantly higher than on admission, and on the 6th hospital day they were tapered. The CSF biopterin levels and CSF NOx content in patients with bacterial meningitis on admission were significantly higher than those with other categories and were decreased gradually. Although patients with high levels of CSF neopterin tended to have high CSF biopterin levels in any categories, there was no significant correlation between CSF neopterin and biopterin levels. The CSF biopterin and NOx levels in patients with convulsions were higher than those with aseptic meningitis. Since the neuro-protective or anticonvulsant role for NO was previously reported, high CSF biopterin and NOx levels in patients having epilepsy or febrile convulsions may be regarded as one of the endogenous mechanisms for recovery from an overexcitatory brain in patients with convulsive diseases.