Author(s): Santoshi R. Ghodake, Adinath N. Suryakar, Prabhakar M. Kulhalli, Ramchandra K. Padalkar, Abdul Kayyum Shaikh
Many lines of evidence suggest that oxidative stress is important in the pathogenesis of major depression (MD). In the particular, catecholamine’s and increased metabolism seems to be associated with tissue damage involving free radicals in the brain. The aim of this study was to investigate the lipid peroxidation and total antioxidant capacity in the patients suffering from the MD as compared to the healthy controls. Specifically we wanted to estimate the effective influence of antioxidant supplementation on the oxidative stress parameters including antioxidant defense system in MD patients. Thirty MD patients and thirty healthy controls were participated in the study. Lipid peroxidation was assessed by measuring concentration Malondialdehyde (MDA) and NO metabolites in plasma. Antioxidant activity was measured by determination of erythrocyte-superoxide dismutase (SOD) as a powerful enzymatic antioxidant and the non – enzymatic antioxidants like vitamin E, C and uric acid along with total antioxidant capacity in plasma. All measurements were taken in newly diagnosed patients and then during depression remission after 12 weeks treatment along with antioxidant supplementation. The concentration of MDA and NO metabolites were significantly higher in patients before treatment (newly diagnosed). Levels of antioxidants such as SOD, vitamin E, C and uric acid were significantly decreased in patients along with decrease in plasma TAC as compared to controls. After 12 weeks antidepressant treatment adjunctive to antioxidant vitamin E and C supplementation showed reverse changes in above parameters significantly. MD is accompanied by imbalance in pro- and anti-oxidative processes and finally, combined therapy with antioxidants and antidepressant has an improved potential in preventing oxidative damage and repairing already existing damage, but this has to be confirmed in future clinical studies.