Reduced number of red blood cells, lowered hematocrit and hemoglobin, and increased number of reticulocytes in major depression as indicators of activation of the inflammatory response system: effects of antidepressant drugs

Abstract

There is some evidence that major depression is characterized by an activation of the inflammatory response system (IRS). Activation of the IRS and major depression are accompanied by changes in the erythron, such as a lowered number of red blood cells (RBC), lowered hematocrit (Hct), and hemoglobin (Hb). The purpose of this study was to examine hematological variables in 32 healthy volunteers and in 47 major depressed patients, both before and after treatment with serotonergic antidepressants. Major depressed subjects had a significantly lower number of RBC, lower Hct and Hb than normal volunteers. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and MC Hb (MCHb) were not significantly different between major depressed subjects and normal controls. Major depressed patients had a significantly greater RBC distribution width (RDW), and a significantly increased number of reticulocytes than healthy volunteers. The number of neutrophils and, consequently the number of leukocytes, was significantly higher in major depressed subjects than in normal controls. There were significant and positive correlations between the number of reticulocytes and number of leukocytes and neutrophils. There was no significant effect of a 5-week treatment with serotonergic antidepressive drugs on the above haematological variables. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.