engleski

Platelet serotonin and magnesium concentration in depressed patients

RATIONALE The monoaminergic system is involved in the pathophisiology of depression. Substances that reducing NMDA neurotransmission has an antidepressant effect while magnesium (Mg) is a natural antagonist of NMDA receptors. Aim was to evaluate serotonin and Mg concentration in platelets and serum Mg concentration in patients with depressive disorders and healthy control. MATERIALS AND METHODS Group of depressed patients was consisted of 27 patients with attempted suicide (mean age 49±15.6, M/F =11/16) and 93 patients without suicidal behaviour (mean age 51±12.9, M/F=34/59) according to ICD-10 diagnosis (F 33.2 recurrent depressive disorder without psychotic symptoms and with or without Intentional self-harm (X60-X84). All patients were on psychopharmacological therapy. Fisher’s exact test showed no differences in antidepressant therapy between patients groups The control group was made of 99 voluntary blood donors (aged 49 ±11.6, M/F=48/51). The platelet serotonin concentration was determined by competitive enzyme immunoassay test on the Elysis Uno immunoanalyser (Human, Germany). The Mg concentration in platelets and serum was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry on the AAnalyst 200 (Perkin Elmer, USA).RESULTS By ANOVA test (after log transformation of variable) significant differences of the platelet serotonin concentration were obtained between all three groups while a post hoc SNK test showed the lowest concentration in the group of depressed patients with no suicidal behaviour (p<0.001, F= 38.07). ANOVA test and a post hoc SNK test showed the lowest platelet Mg concentration in the control group (p= 0.015, F = 4.37), while the serum Mg concentration was the lowest in the depressed patients with attempted suicide (p< 0.001, F=8.34). CONCLUSION Lower concentration of platelet serotonin and an elevated concentration of Mg in depressed patients with no suicidal behaviour can be related to the effect of the antidepressants based on the previous studies which have found lower concentration of platelet serotonin and an elevated concentration of cell Mg in patients responding to antidepressant therapy. A lower serum Mg concentration in depressed patients with attempted suicide can be a reflection of a stressed out condition and cannot be used as a marker of Mg status in human body.

platelet serotonin; magnesium; depression

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