NGF and nitrosative stress in patients with Huntington's disease

Abstract Introduction Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative genetic disorder caused by expansion of polyglutamine repeats in the huntingtin gene and characterised by the loss of striatal and cortical neurons. Few studies to date have focussed on peripheral neurotrophic-factor levels in patients with HD. Objective To measure plasma NGF levels in Huntington's disease and investigate their correlation with disease intensity. Materials and methods Nineteen patients with HD and nineteen age- and sex-matched healthy subjects took part in this cross-sectional study. Plasma levels of NGF, BDNF, GDNF, nitrotyrosine, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were measured; lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were determined and white blood cell (WBC) counts were evaluated. Results NGF levels were significantly lower, nitrotyrosine levels were higher and LDH activity was greater in HD patients than in healthy subjects. There was no significant difference in MPO levels or WBC counts, whereas the MPO/WBC ratio was considerably higher in HD patients. The data obtained suggested that biochemical and haematological changes correlated with disease severity. Conclusion NGF levels are lower in HD patients than in healthy subjects. However, further research is required to confirm the role of NGF in HD.