[Free radical processes and antioxidant system in depression and treatment efficiency]

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Clinical Psychology
• Medical Diagnostics

Background:

• Depression is associated with imbalances in free radical processes and antioxidant systems.
• Previous research indicates potential alterations in oxidative stress markers in patients with depression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate free radical processes and antioxidant system activities in blood and saliva of depressive patients.
• To evaluate changes in these parameters before and after antidepressant treatment.
• To assess the potential of saliva as a biomarker for oxidative stress and treatment efficacy in depression.

Main Methods:

• Studied 23 patients diagnosed with depression (ICD-10).
• Measured blood plasma and saliva parameters including chemiluminescence, peroxidase, catalase, superoxide eliminational activity, and superoxide dismutase activity.
• Compared pre-treatment and post-treatment levels with control groups.
• Differentiated between responders and non-responders to antidepressant treatment.

Main Results:

• Depressive patients exhibited increased blood plasma chemiluminescence, peroxidase, and catalase activities, alongside decreased superoxide eliminational and dismutase activities compared to controls.
• Saliva showed elevated peroxidase, superoxide eliminational, and catalase activities in patients.
• Antidepressant treatment led to positive dynamic changes in many parameters, particularly in treatment responders.

Conclusions:

• Oxidative stress markers are altered in both blood and saliva of patients with depression.
• Saliva demonstrates potential as a non-invasive biological material for assessing oxidative stress.
• Saliva analysis may be valuable for evaluating the efficacy of antidepressant treatments.