DETECTION OF IMMUNOREACTIVE PARATHYROID HORMONE-RELATED PROTEIN IN HUMAN CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID

Immunoreactive parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTH-rP) was measur ed in simultaneously obtained cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma fro m 51 patients suspected of suffering from a prolapsed intervertebral d isc. Endocrine or psychiatric diseases were excluded. In addition, imm unoreactive parathyroid hormone (PTH) in the CSF samples was measured. Both, PTH-rP and PTH were assayed by immunoradiometric assay. The res ults indicate the presence of both, PTH-rP and PTH in CSF. The followi ng concentrations (mean values +/- SD) were found: PTH-rP (pmol/l) in CSF without pleocytosis (n = 17) 0,432 +/- 0.157, with pleocytosis (n = 34) 0.654 +/- 0.675; in plasma (pmol/l) 54.1 +/- 14.632; PTH (nmol/l ) in CSF without pleocytosis (n = 17) 0.454 +/- 0.099, with pleocytosi s (n = 34) 0.437 +/- 0.140, and in plasma 4.272 +/- 0.794. The concent rations of both, PTH-rP and PTH, in CSF with and without pleocytosis w ere not significantly different. No correlation was found between PTH- rP and PTH values. The present study demonstrated PTH-rP as a normal c onstituent in human CSF.