Plasma ascorbate levels in Parkinsori s disease and vascular Parkinsonism
G.P. PARASKEVAS, E. KAPAKI, O. PETROPOULOU, C. ZOURNAS
Athens National University, Department of Neurology, "Aeginition" Hospital

Oxidative stress is an important mechanism of cell death in Parkinson s disease (PD) and brain ischemia, which seems to contribute to vascular injury in atheromatosis. Ascorbate is an important water-soluble antioxidant and neuroprotective agent. By means of high performance liquid chromatography, plasma ascorbate levels were determined in 36 patients with PD, 11 patients with vascular Parkinsonism (VP) and 37 healthy controls. Ascorbate levels in PD did not differ from those of the controls (45.4±21.9 vs 46.3±18.4 µM respectively), but patients with VP had significantly lower levels (26.4±11.4 µM, P<0.01). It seems that oxidative stress and ascorbate reduction may be actively implicated in atherosclerotic end-organ injury.

Key words: Ascobrate, vitamin C, oxidative stress, Parkinson's disease, vascular Parkinsonism.