Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 23, 2026

Platelet-based Detection of Nitric Oxide in Blood by Measuring VASP Phosphorylation
07:13

Platelet-based Detection of Nitric Oxide in Blood by Measuring VASP Phosphorylation

Published on: January 7, 2019

Decreased platelet nitric oxide synthase activity and plasma nitric oxide metabolites in major depressive disorder

Wendy E Chrapko1, Paul Jurasz, Marek W Radomski

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Biological Psychiatry
|July 3, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Major depression is linked to higher cardiovascular risk due to reduced nitric oxide (NO) production in patients. This study found lower plasma nitric oxide metabolites and platelet endothelial NO synthase activity in those with depression.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Psychiatry
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Major depression (MD) is an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD).
  • The underlying mechanisms linking MD and CHD are not fully understood.
  • Nitric oxide (NO) is crucial for cardiovascular regulation, and reduced NO production is linked to cardiovascular risk factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the hypothesis that patients with MD exhibit reduced nitric oxide (NO) production by platelets and endothelium compared to healthy controls (HCs).

Main Methods:

  • Analyzed plasma nitric oxide metabolite (NOx) levels using chemiluminescence.
  • Assessed platelet endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) activity by measuring the conversion of L-[(14)C]arginine to L-[(14)C]citrulline.
  • Included 15 subjects with MD and 16 HCs.

Main Results:

  • Significantly lower plasma NOx levels were observed in subjects with MD compared to HCs.
  • Platelet eNOS activity was also significantly reduced in subjects with MD versus HCs.

Conclusions:

  • Decreased nitric oxide (NO) production by the vascular wall and platelets may contribute to the elevated CHD risk in individuals with major depression (MD).
  • These findings highlight a potential biochemical link between depression and cardiovascular disease.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Alternative Methods for the Detection of Superoxide Anion Generation in Platelets06:35

Alternative Methods for the Detection of Superoxide Anion Generation in Platelets

Published on: March 29, 2024

Network Pharmacology and Validation of the Antidepressant Mechanisms of Qiangzhifang in a Chronic Restraint Stress-induced Depression Rat Model08:15

Network Pharmacology and Validation of the Antidepressant Mechanisms of Qiangzhifang in a Chronic Restraint Stress-induced Depression Rat Model

Published on: June 6, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Nitric Oxide Signaling Pathway01:28

Nitric Oxide Signaling Pathway

Nitric oxide (NO), an inorganic gas, acts as a potent second messenger in most animal and plant tissues. NO diffuses out of the cells that produce it and enters the neighboring cells to generate a downstream response. NO synthase (NOS) catalyzes NO production by the deamination of the amino acid arginine. There are three isoforms of NOS. Endothelial cells have endothelial NOS (eNOS), nerve and muscle cells have neuronal NOS (nNOS), and macrophages produce inducible NOS (iNOS) upon exposure to...
Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents01:23

Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents

Atypical antidepressants, including bupropion (Wellbutrin), mirtazapine (Remeron), nefazodone (Serzone), trazodone (Desyrel), and vilazodone (Viibryd), offer unique mechanisms of action. Bupropion weakly inhibits dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake, aiding depression treatment and smoking cessation, with a low risk of sexual dysfunction. Mirtazapine enhances serotonin and norepinephrine neurotransmission, leading to sedation, increased appetite, and weight gain. As a result, it helps treat...
G-protein Coupled Receptors01:21

G-protein Coupled Receptors

G-protein coupled receptors are ligand binding receptors that indirectly affect changes in the cell. The actual receptor is a single polypeptide that transverses the cell membrane seven times creating intracellular and extracellular loops. The extracellular loops create a ligand specific pocket which binds to neurotransmitters or hormones. The intracellular loops holds onto the G-protein.
Depression: Overview01:18

Depression: Overview

Depression is a prevalent mental illness marked by persistent sadness and lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities. It can take several forms, including major depression, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar I and II disorders. Symptoms range from emotional changes like chronic worry to physical changes like sleep disturbances and suicidal thoughts. From a neurobiological perspective, depression is believed to be triggered by abnormalities in the brain's prefrontal cortex,...
Antidepressant Drugs: Tricyclics, SSRIs, and SNRIs01:28

Antidepressant Drugs: Tricyclics, SSRIs, and SNRIs

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs), including Desipramine (Norpramin), Imipramine (Tofranil), Clomipramine (Anafranil), and Amitriptyline (Elavil), inhibit serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake and also block other receptors. They are used for depression, pain conditions, and insomnia. Common adverse effects include anticholinergic effects, sedation, orthostatic hypotension, and weight gain. They have a narrow therapeutic window and so require plasma-level monitoring. Abrupt discontinuation can...