Naslov
Peripheral biochemical markers in posttraumatic stress disorder

Autori
Muck-Šeler, Dorotea ; Pivac, Nela ; Jernej, Branimir

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
Abstracts of the 3rd Croatian Congress of Pharmacology with International Participation ; u: Periodicum Biologorum. Supplement 103 (2001) (S) / Vitale, Branko - Zagreb : IGP, 2001, 66-66

Skup
Croatian Congress of Pharmacology with International Participation (3 ; 2001)

Mjesto i datum
Zagreb, Hrvatska, 18.09.2001. - 21.09.2001

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Pozvano predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Domaća recenzija

Ključne riječi
posttraumatic stress disorder; platelet serotonin; platelet MAO; plasma cortisol; testosterone; prolactin

Sažetak
The alterations in serotonergic system and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis are involved in the pathophysiology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Peripheral biochemical markers studied in PTSD include serotonin (5-HT) levels in platelets or serum, activity of platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO), and plasma cortisol, testosterone, and prolactin levels. Although 5-HT regulates a myriad of physiological, neuroendocrine, and pathological functions, that can be disturbed in PTSD, the data on the relationship between blood platelet 5-HT and different symptoms of PTSD and comorbid depression, are still missing. We have shown that comorbid depression occured more frequently in war veterans with PTSD than in veterans without PTSD (1). Particular depressive symptoms (appetite loss, suicidality, pesimistic thoughts, lassitude, depressed and anxious mood, inability to feel) occurred more frequently in depressed than in nondepressed war veterans with PTSD, while insomnia and concentration difficulties occurred equally in all patients (1). In agreement with the unchanged kinetic parameters of platelet 5-HT transporter found in war veterans (2), platelet 5-HT levels were unaltered in a large groups of combat-exposed war veterans, independently of the presence of PTSD and/or comorbid depression (1, 2). However, when war veterans with PTSD were subdivided according to the presence of different clusters of depressive symptoms, platelet 5-HT concentration differed significantly in those with various degrees of depressed mood, appetite loss, concentration difficulties and insomnia (1). Positive correlation was found between severe appetite loss and platelet 5-HT levels (1). There was no relationship between platelet 5-HT levels and severity of other symptoms of PTSD or depression (1). Lower platelet MAO activity was found in war veterans with current PTSD (2) or in combat exposed war veterans who were prisoners of war, as compared to war veterans without PTSD. Higher plasma cortisol levels were found in war veterans with current PTSD than in healthy controls. The response to suppressive effects of dexamethasone suppression test (DST) differed among war veterans with PTSD and prisoners of war. War veterans with PTSD had higher plasma prolactin concentration, but similar plasma testosterone levels, to healthy controls. There was no correlation between any of the biochemical markers and total scores of the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale. Our results, describing peripheral serotonergic markers in PTSD, showed similar platelet 5-HT levels, but decreased platelet MAO activity in PTSD subjects. Platelet 5-HT levels differed in war veterans with PTSD and comorbid depression, with different degrees of depressive symptoms, suggesting altered metabolism of 5-HT associated with particular symptoms and/or comorbidity occurring in PTSD. Altered activity of the HPA axis, with different DST response, and elevated prolactin but unaltered testosterone levels, suggest that PTSD syndrome is linked to the neuroendocrine alterations, associated also to the everyday stress and possibly complicated by some additional problems of coping and everyday living. 1. Muck-Šeler D, Pivac N, Jakovljević M, Šagud M, Mihaljević-Peleš A. J Affect Disord, in press. 2. Čičin-Šain L, Mimica N, Hranilović D, Balija M, Ljubin T, Makarić G, Folnegović- Šmalc, Jernej B. J Psychiat Res, 34:155-161, 2000.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Temeljne medicinske znanosti

POVEZANOST RADA