Diazepam binding inhibitor (DBI) in the plasma of pediatric and adult epileptic patients

Ferrarese, Carlo; Cogliati, Tiziana; Tortorella, Rachele; Zucca, Claudio; Bogliun, Graziella; Beghi, Ettore; Passoni, Davide; Zoia, Chiara; Begni, Barbara; Airoldi, Larissa; Alho, Hannu; Frattola, Lodovico

« Previous Next »Epilepsy Research
Volume 29, Issue 2 , Pages 129-134, January 1998

Diazepam binding inhibitor (DBI) in the plasma of pediatric and adult epileptic patients

Carlo Ferrarese
- Scientific Institute `E. Medea', Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
- Department of Neurology, University of Milan, Monza, Italy
- Corresponding author. Department of Neurology and Epilepsy Center, University of Milan, Ospedale San Gerardo, Via Donizetti 106, 20052 Monza, Italy. Tel.: +39 39 2333598; fax: +39 39 2300155; e-mail: carlofer@imiucca.csi.unimi.it
Tiziana Cogliati
- Scientific Institute `E. Medea', Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
- Department of Neurology, University of Milan, Monza, Italy
Rachele Tortorella
- Scientific Institute `E. Medea', Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
- Department of Neurology, University of Milan, Monza, Italy
Claudio Zucca
- Scientific Institute `E. Medea', Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
Graziella Bogliun
- Department of Neurology, University of Milan, Monza, Italy
Ettore Beghi
- Department of Neurology, University of Milan, Monza, Italy
Davide Passoni
- Scientific Institute `E. Medea', Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
- Department of Neurology, University of Milan, Monza, Italy
Chiara Zoia
- Department of Neurology, University of Milan, Monza, Italy
- Department of Anatomy, University of Milan, Monza, Italy
Barbara Begni
- Department of Neurology, University of Milan, Monza, Italy
Larissa Airoldi
- Department of Neurology, University of Milan, Monza, Italy
Hannu Alho
- Department of Alcohol Research, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland
Lodovico Frattola
- Department of Neurology, University of Milan, Monza, Italy

Received 4 April 1997; received in revised form 14 August 1997; accepted 24 August 1997.

Abstract

The polypeptide diazepam binding inhibitor (DBI) displays epileptogenic activity by binding to benzodiazepine receptors. We analyzed DBI concentrations in the plasma of pediatric and adult epileptic patients, as a possible peripheral marker in epilepsy. DBI plasma concentrations are significantly higher (+62%, P<0.001) in adult patients and slightly but significantly higher (+15%, P<0.01) in pediatric patients, compared to age-related controls. Strikingly, plasma DBI is much higher (+81%, P<0.001) in generalized epilepsy in adults and in drug-resistant pediatric and adult patients. Based on these findings, plasma DBI may be considered as a peripheral biological marker of epilepsy and, in association with lymphocyte benzodiazepine receptor density, of anticonvulsant drug responsiveness.

Keywords: Epilepsy, Diazepam binding inhibitor, Peripheral benzodiazepine receptors, Drug resistance