Does the lower nitric oxide level cause cardiovascular changes in major depressed women?

In the recent years, studies have revealed higher incidence of cardiovascular diseases in patients with major depression (MD). A role of plasma nitric oxide (NO) levels in these diseases has been suggested. Hence, aim of the current study was to determine plasma NO, QT, corrected QT (QTc) and systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP-DBP) in healthy women (HW) and in women with MD and to interrelate these values with plasma NO levels. Thirty MD women (average 32 years old) and 28 HW (average 28-years old) were included in this study. Nitric oxide values were determined from plasma by spectrophotometric method. Blood pressure was measured in the left arm using an auscultation method. QT and QTc values were obtained from electrocardiographic records. For the calculation of QTc values Bazett's formula was applied. MD group had significantly lower plasma NO levels compared to HW (12.7 +/- 1.4 vs. 21.82 +/- 3.5 microM, respectively, p < 0.05). Mean SBP and DBP were higher in MD group (120/72 vs. 109/65 mmHg; p < or = 0.001). In MD patients, QT and QTc intervals were significantly longer compared to the HW (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). There was a significant negative correlation between plasma NO levels and SBP in MD group (r = -0.50; p < 0.01). There was no relationship between plasma NO levels and QT or QTc intervals. In conclusion, lower plasma NO levels, longer QT and QTc intervals and higher SBP and DBP values in MD patients suggest (1) that cardiovascular disease risk is higher in these patients and (2) this needs a special attention by the clinicians.