Platelet Serotonin Uptake and Effects of Vitamin B₆-Treatment in Premenstrual Tension

Abstract

The platelet serotonin uptake kinetics was studied in 19 women with premenstrual tension syndrome (PMS) and 19 age-matched symptom-free controls during the pre- and postmenstrual phases. Both groups exhibited stable V_max and K_m values at the two phases of the menstrual cycle. There were no differences between the two groups regarding the level of V_max and K_m, respectively. The effect of season (p < 0.001), with lowered values of V_max during spring compared to corresponding values during the later half of the year, was identical in both groups. A tendency to lowered V_max values in the follicular phase in women with PMS during spring may indicate that women with PMS are more vulnerable to developing depressive episodes during this period than symptom-free women. The blood platelet count in whole blood was decreased in the luteal phase in the control group but remained stable in the PMS group. The effect of vitamin B₆ on clinical symptoms and the platelet serotonin uptake during the luteal phase was investigated in a double-blind crossover design. Vitamin B₆ treatment did not significantly improve the PMS symptoms. There was no effect of treatment on K_m. V_max increased significantly in response to treatment (F = 9.6; p < 0.001) in both groups, but there was no significant difference between placebo and vitamin B₆.

Imipramine Receptor Binding and Serotonin Uptake in Platelets of Women with Premenstrual Changes

“…Our results are in agreement with those of Malmgren et al [32] who demonstrated that 5-HT Vmax and IQ remain stable along the follicular and luteal phases of the men strual cycle and do not differ between symptomatic and control subjects. An earlier study of platelet 5-HT uptake by Wirz-Justice et al [19] also showed no sex or phase differences, but premenstrual syndromes (PMS) were not controlled in that study.…”

“…Variability in protein content in platelet mem branes or PRP due to slight changes in preparation method might yield quite different results of both 5-HT uptake and IMI binding [34][35][36][37], Variation in platelet counts along the menstrual cycle [32], as well as hetero geneity of platelet populations (light or heavy, aged) might also influence the data [38,39]. Interpretation of results should, therefore, take into account that platelet basic physiology might cause changes in values of 5-HT and IMI that are not necessarily related to the disorder process studied [34], Since seasonal variability might significantly in fluence the results [32,[40][41][42], both our patients and control group were studied simultaneously. Diurnal vari ability [43][44][45] was controlled for, as well as levels of estradiol.…”

Efficacy of vitamin B-6 in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: systematic review

“…2 18 23 – 45 Of these, four were excluded because they did not include a placebo group, 34 38 39 43 two were retrospective studies, 40 41 and nine presented quantitative data that could not be analysed, 2 18 23 27 35 – 37 42 45 leaving 10 placebo controlled trials. 24 – 26 28 – 44 Two of the trials had two separate dosing regimens and were effectively treated as four studies.…”

“…Excessive ingestion (2000-6000 mg) of vitamin B-6 causes peripheral neuropathy,10 – 17 and doses of 200 mg/day may cause similar, although probably reversible, effects 18…”

Study Protocol for a Randomized Double Blind, Treatment Control Trial Comparing the Efficacy of a Micronutrient Formula to a Single Vitamin Supplement in the Treatment of Premenstrual Syndrome

“…Vitamin B6, at very high doses, 2000 mg/day has been shown to cause peripheral neuropathy (Joint Food Safety and Standards Group, 1997). However, the same, but reversible effects have been noted in participants taking 200 mg/day [31]. Therefore, the current study is using 80 mg/day, a dose that has proven effective on both physical and emotional symptoms of PMS without co-occurring side effects [17].…”