Case-control study, 1992
Do changes in blood plasma explain enzyme abnormalities in PMS?
No. Although plasma from both PMS and non-PMS women inhibited an enzyme involved in neurotransmitters, the study found no evidence that changes in plasma substance levels explain the enzyme changes seen in PMS patients.
What they did
Laboratory study measuring monoamine oxidase (MAO) enzyme activity in platelets from PMS patients and controls during both premenstrual and postmenstrual phases. Plasma from both groups was tested on human platelets and rat brain tissue to see if it affected enzyme activity.
What they found
Platelet MAO enzyme activity (Vmax) was significantly lower in the postmenstrual phase compared to premenstrual phase in PMS patients. Plasma from both PMS and control groups inhibited the enzyme in a dose-dependent manner (at 10-100 microliters) to approximately the same degree at each time interval.
What it means for you
While PMS may involve changes in this enzyme, the study did not find the suspected mechanism. This is a laboratory study that does not directly address whether enzyme changes cause PMS symptoms. The findings suggest other mechanisms need investigation.
10-100
Plasma volume tested in microliters
About the study
- Original title
- Effect of plasma from premenstrual syndrome and control patients on human platelet and rat brain synaptosome monoamine oxidase B activity
- Authors
- Ashby CR Jr, Carr LA, Cook C et al.
- Journal
- Neuropsychobiology
- Year
- 1992
- Study design
- Case-control study
- What was tested
- None (laboratory study)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1159/000118820