engleski

Platelet serotonin and plasma prolactin and cortisol in healthy, depressed and schizophrenic women

Serotonin (5-HT) is involved in the regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) activity and prolactin (PRL) secretion. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the relationship between platelet 5-HT and plasma cortisol and PRL concentrations in healthy subjects and in depressed and schizophrenic patients. The study included 20 schizophrenic and 25 depressed, drug free female patients, and 25 healthy women. Platelet 5-HT, plasma cortisol and PRL concentrations were determined by the spectrofluorimetric, radioimmunoassay and immunoradiometric methods, respectively. Platelet 5-HT concentration was significantly higher in schizophrenic patients than in depressed patients or in healthy controls, while it was significantly lower in depressed patients than in healthy controls or in schizophrenic patients. Plasma cortisol levels were significantly increased both in schizophrenic and in depressed patients as compared to values in healthy controls. Values of plasma PRL were similar among groups. A significant correlation was found between platelet 5-HT and plasma cortisol, and platelet 5-HT and plasma PRL concentrations in healthy controls, but not in schizophrenic or depressed patients. There was no significant relationship between plasma PRL and cortisol levels in all groups. Our data, although obtained on the peripheral biochemical markers, indicate that depression and schizophrenia are characterized by a disturbed 5-HT transmission and a dysregulated HPA axis activity.

serotonin; blood platelets; cortisol; prolactin; healthy controls; depression; schizophrenia

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