Tissue concentrations of biogenic amines in brain tumors and their distribution
Ikeda, Y.; Nakazawa, S.
No Shinkei Geka. Neurological Surgery 12(7): 787-793
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0301-2603 PMID: 6483088 Document Number: 229329
Considerable interest has been directed towards the role of neurotransmitters in various types of brain dysfunction. There is increasing experimental and clinical evidence that disturbances in the metabolism of central monoamines play an important role in the pathogenesis of brain diseases. Brain tumors are thought to affect and change the neurotransmitter function of the surrounding cerebral tissues. Tissue concentrations of biogenic amines in brain tumors and their distribution were analyzed, and samples from 34 intracranial tumors removed at operations were studied. The concentrations in tumor tissues were measured by high performance liquid chromatography systems which were equipped with electrochemical detection (LCEC) and were particularly well suited for the separation and the measurment of the concentration of norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and their metabolites; homovanillic acid (HVA), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethyleneglycol (MHPG) in brain tissues. NE levels were < 3 ng/g in 25 of 30 cases. DA levels were not detected in > 1/2 of the cases. 5-HT levels varied from 0 to 166.4 ng/g. HVA levels were detected in 1 glioblastoma, metastatic tumor, meningioma and 1 hemangioblastoma. 5-HIAA levels were not detected on most cases except for 2 meningiomas and 1 malignant lymphoma. Distribution of tissue concentrations of biogenic amines and their metabolites in 4 demarcated brain tumors was studied. Samples for determination of tissue concentrations were taken from tumor tissue at central, middle and peripheral or adjacent portions from the edge of the tumor. Distribution of tissue concentrations of biogenic amines and their metabolites in 3 of 4 demarcated tumors were equal in 3 different portions of each tumor. In these tumors, CT findings revealed the homogenous contrast enhancement. Distribution of tissue concentrations of biogenic amines and their metabolites in 1 demarcated tumor with inhomogenous contrast enhancement in CT scan was unequal in 3 different portions of the tumor. There apparently is, to some extent, a close relationship between distribution of tissue concentrations of biogenic amines in the tumors and the homogeneity of contrast enhancement in CT scan.