Abstract
Background: It is not well analyzed whether there are differences in plasma levels of tryptophan (TRP) metabolites between healthy control people (HC) and patients of major monopolar depression (MMD). Methods: Ultra high-speed liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry has been used for the simultaneous determination of plasma levels of tryptophan metabolites in depressive patients. Results: There are no significant differences between plasma levels of TRP between HC and MMD. Plasma levels of TRP of HC are higher in young men, young women, old men, and old women in this order. Serotonin (5-HT) levels are higher in MMD than HC. Plasma levels of 5-HIAA of HC are also higher than those of patients of MMD. Plasma levels of kynurenine (KYN) of healthy old men and old women are higher than those of young men and old women. Plasma levels of KYN are higher in old women and young men of MMD than those of HC. Conclusion: Plasma levels of 5-HT are higher in patients of MMD than those of HC, which may suggest that use of drugs inhibiting the 5-HT transportation may increase plasma levels of 5-HT in MMD.
Highlights
Useful antidepressant medications were discovered about 60 years ago [1]
Ultra high-speed liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry has been used for the simultaneous determination of plasma levels of tryptophan metabolites in depressive patients
Disturbances of KYN pathway is considered as a factor contributing to the pathogenesis of depression [17]
Summary
Useful antidepressant medications were discovered about 60 years ago [1] Studies showed that these drugs increased synaptic concentrations of serotonin and norepinephrine [2] and this action was hypothesized to support their antidepressant action. It was recognized that the clinical onset of effectiveness of neurochemical and therapeutic effects of antidepressants had taken days or weeks This finding led researchers to challenge the central role for acute monoamine potentiation in the mechanism of antidepressant action. Recent approaches have sought to target more directly the neurobiological processes that might underlie this delay It is not well analyzed whether there are differences in plasma levels of tryptophan (TRP) metabolites between healthy control people (HC) and patients of major monopolar depression (MMD). Conclusion: Plasma levels of 5-HT are higher in patients of MMD than those of HC, which may suggest that use of drugs inhibiting the 5-HT transportation may increase plasma levels of 5-HT in MMD
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