A Pilot Examination of Oxidative Stress in Trichotillomania
Psychiatry Investigation
;
: 1130-1134, 2018.
Article
in English
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-719193
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
Trichotillomania is a relatively common illness whose neurobiology is poorly understood. One treatment for adult trichotillomania, n-acetyl cysteine (NAC), has antioxidative properties, as well as effects on central glutamatergic transmission. Preclinical models suggest that excessive oxidative stress may be involved in its pathophysiology.METHODS:
Adults with trichotillomania provided a blood sample for analysis of compounds that may be influenced by oxidative stress [glutathione, angiotensin II, ferritin, iron, glucose, insulin and insulin growth factor 1 (IGF1), and hepcidin]. Participants were examined on symptom severity, disability, and impulsivity. The number of participants with out-of-reference range oxidative stress measures were compared against the null distribution. Correlations between oxidative stress markers and clinical measures were examined.RESULTS:
Of 14 participants (mean age 31.2 years; 92.9% female), 35.7% (n=5) had total glutathione levels below the reference range (p= 0.041). Other oxidative stress measures did not have significant proportions outside the reference ranges. Lower levels of glutathione correlated significantly with higher motor impulsiveness (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale sub-score) (r=0.97, p=0.001).CONCLUSION:
A third of patients with trichotillomania had low levels of glutathione, and lower levels of glutathione correlated significantly with higher motor impulsiveness. Because NAC is a precursor for cysteine, and cysteine is a rate limiting step for glutathione production, these results may shed light on the mechanisms through which NAC can have beneficial effects for impulsive symptoms. Confirmation of these results requires a suitable larger follow-up study, including an internal normative control group.
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Reference Values
/
Trichotillomania
/
Neurobiology
/
Angiotensin II
/
Follow-Up Studies
/
Oxidative Stress
/
Cysteine
/
Ferritins
/
Glucose
/
Glutathione
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Adult
/
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Psychiatry Investigation
Year:
2018
Type:
Article
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