Morning and nocturnal serum melatonin rhythm levels in patients with major depressive disorder: an analytical cross-sectional study.

Shahnaz Khaleghipour,Gholamreza Pasha,Meersalahodin Enayate,Farah Nadery,Hassan Ahade,Gholamhossein Ahmadzade,Mohsen Masjedi

doi:10.1590/s1516-31802012000300006

Abstract

The pineal gland is an adaptive organ that precisely regulates the biological rhythms of melatonin brain hemostasis. Variation in the regulation of melatonin rhythms is a likely cause of depressive disorder. The purpose of this study was to measure serum melatonin levels in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and normal control subjects. Analytical cross-sectional study at the industrial medical unit of the Iron Smelting Company of Isfahan, Iran. The morning and nocturnal serum melatonin levels of patients and controls were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. All data were assessed using variance analysis. The morning and nocturnal serum melatonin levels of depressed and healthy subjects differed (P < 0.05). The nocturnal serum melatonin levels of depressed women were lower than those of depressed men (P < 0.05). The findings of this study showed that the nocturnal serum melatonin levels in the depressed patients were lower than in the controls. Thus, the peak melatonin phase in the depressed patients was reached with delay.

Highlights

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the most severe type of depression, and it is termed a mood disorder
There was a significant difference in depression scores between the depressed patients and the healthy controls (P ≤ 0.05)
Our data showed that the nocturnal serum melatonin levels in the depressed patients were lower than in the controls

Summary

Introduction

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the most severe type of depression, and it is termed a mood disorder. MDD is accompanied by different physical, emotional, cognitive and motivational signs. Extensive studies are currently investigating the etiology of this disorder. Experts still use clinical signs to diagnose this disorder.[1]. Biological studies over recent decades have been investigating abnormalities in biological rhythms, neurotransmitter levels, receptor variation and endocrine levels in particular regions of the brain. The development and maintenance of MDD are becoming better understood than before. One of the main points in the biological trends relates to circadian rhythm and disturbances in this cycle, which cause mood disorders and irregularity in this bioclock, thereby leading to depression.[2]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion