5-HIAA and HVA in the Coma Cerebri, Hydrocephalus and Tumor Cerebri

Abstract

The concentration of metabolites of neurohormones in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is an index of turnover of substances in brain. 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) – serotonine metabolite and homovanillic acid (HVA) - dopamine metabolite, were studied in CSF of patients with coma cerebri, hydrocephalus and tumor cerebri. CSF concentrations of 5-HIAA and HVA were determined in 140 patients of different age and sex. The samples were analyzed for 5-HIAA and HVA by high pressure liquid chromatography with electrochemical detector (HPLC-ED). Average concentration of 5-HIAA was 9.54 +/- 2.09 ng/mL, and for HVA it was 27.17 +/- 4.39 ng/mL. Average concentration of 5-HIAA in CSF of male subjects was 13.39 +/- 3.30 ng/mL, and for female subjects 4.23 +/- 1.34 ng/mL. Average concentration of HVA in CSF of male subjects was 31.52 +/- 4.86 ng/mL, and for female subjects 21.19 +/- 3.70 ng/mL (p<0.05). Results increased 5-HIAA and HVA concentration in CSF in comparison with other pathochemical conditions, such as acute lymphocyte leukemia, encephalitis, meningitis serosus, multiple sclerosis, quadriplegia and sepsis. Long-term follow-up is required to assess if they could be of prognostic significance as regards to long term attainment of brain functions in coma cerebri, hydrocephalus and tumor cerebri patients.