engleski

Plasma hormones and platelet serotonin in healthy women, depressed and schizophrenic patients

Literature data suggest that serotonin (5-HT) is involved in the regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) activity and prolactin (PRL) secretion. Since uptake, storage and release of 5-HT into platelets resemble to the corresponding processes in the central nervous system, blood platelets have been used as an easy available, peripheral model for the central serotonergic synaptosomes. The aim of the present study was to compare platelet 5-HT concentration and plasma cortisol and PRL levels in healthy women and in drug-free female depressed and schizophrenic patients. The population studied comprised of 23 schizophrenic and 25 depressed, drug free female patients (DSM-III-R criteria) and 25 healthy drug free women (control). Platelet 5-HT, plasma cortisol and PRL concentrations were determined by the spectrofluorimetric, radioimmunoassay and immunoradiometric method, respectively. Among groups the highest values of platelet 5-HT and both hormones were observed in schizophrenic patients, while depressed patients had lowest platelet 5-HT and plasma PRL concentrations. Plasma cortisol levels were increased in both groups of patients as compared to healthy controls. A significant correlation was found between platelet 5-HT concentration and plasma cortisol and PRL levels in healthy controls but not in schizophrenic or depressed patients. There was no influence of age on biochemical parameters. Although literature data suggest that glucocorticoids are involved in the regulation of PRL secretion, we did not find relationship between plasma concentration of PRL and cortisol in all groups. Our results suggest an altered influence of 5-HT system on HPA axis activity and PRL secretion in depression and schizophrenia.

serotonin; HPA axis; depression; schizophrenia; healthy control; plasma; blood platelets

nije evidentirano