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Abstract
Addition of serum, obtained from patients suffering from an acute psychosis characterized
by dysperceptions, to the culture media of fibroblasts altered the amino acid metabolism
in these cells. After subculturing of fibroblasts in the presence of serum obtained
from these patients, the concentrations of both serine and methionine were decreased
in the medium as well as in the fibroblasts. Moreover, the concentration of taurine
in the fibroblasts was increased. The specific activities of serine hydroxymethyltransferase
and cystathionine β-synthase were also measured in the fibroblasts. It was found that
both enzyme activities were significantly higher after subculturing with patients'
serum as compared with serum obtained from healthy controls. It is concluded that
a factor, present in the serum of these acute psychotic patients, is responsible for
the observed changes in serine, taurine, and methionine concentrations in the fibroblasts
as well as for the increased enzyme activities mentioned.
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References
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Article info
Publication history
Received in revised form:
June 11,
1991
Received:
March 21,
1991
Identification
Copyright
© 1991 Published by Elsevier Inc.