Neopterin, β2-Microglobulin, Tryptophan and Kynurenine in Sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Abstract

In 62 patients diagnosed as sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (sALS), we quantitated serum concentrations of neopterin, (β2-microglobulin, kynurenine and tryptophan. A linear increase with age was demonstrated by neopterin more than by β2-microglobulin, whereas neither parameter corresponded to individual progression or duration of disease at the time of examination. All serum (n = 79) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF, n = ll patients) concentrations remained within reference limits, and serum neopterin always exceeded CSF neopterin. Serum neopterin was not elevated in sALS, and we observed no correlation between circulating IgG isotype concentrations and serum neopterin. Total duration of sALS, as measured in months from the first clinical signs or symptoms to death, seemed, however, to inversely correlate with the mean patient serum neopterin before and after correction for age, and in the absence of any neoplastic process. If confirmed in a larger number of sALS patients, this would parallel a reportedly negative association of CSF neopterin and survival in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV1) infection. © 1994, Walter de Gruyter. All rights reserved.