Role of norharman, harman and ceruloplasmin in the aetiopathogenesis of Parkinson's disease

ABSTRACT

Determination of serum levels of Norharman, Harman and Ceruloplasmin of 39 patients with PD and 54 age and sex matched control subjects was done. The study aimed to identify the possible role of these biochemical indices in the etiopathogenesis of PD. The study clarified that most of the PD patients [59%] had moderate degree of illness. The most frequent presenting signs were in the following order Resting tremors and bradykinesia in 97.4% of cases for each, loss of upper limb swinging during walking in 94.9%, mask facies in 92.3%, rigidity in 84.6%, postural abnormalities and speech disorders in 71.8% for each. Highly significant increase of serum levels of Harman and Norharman and highly significant decrease of Ceruloplasmin level were found among PD patients compared with the control group. The study added more support to the possible roles of the biochemical substances in the etiopathogenesis of Parkinson's disease through defects in the enzymes that regulate potential nigral neurotoxins [Norharman and Harman] or by the deficiency of one of the major plasma antioxidants [Ceruloplasmin]