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Published on: February 7, 2018
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Oxidative stress markers in affective disorders.
Marcin Siwek1, Magdalena Sowa-Kućma, Dominika Dudek
1Department of Psychiatry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Faculty of Medicine, Kopernika 21a, PL 31-501 Kraków, Poland. siwekm@interia.pl; sowa@if-pan.krakow.pl.
Pharmacological Reports : PR
|February 21, 2014
Summary
Oxidative stress and immune-inflammatory responses are implicated in affective disorders like depression. Antioxidant compounds show promise for treating these conditions and enhancing standard therapies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Affective disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder, have complex etiologies involving genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors.
- Oxidative and nitrosative stress (O&NS) pathways, coupled with immune-inflammatory responses, are increasingly recognized as significant contributors to the pathophysiology of these disorders.
- Neurotransmitter systems, particularly glutamatergic pathways, are impaired by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, impacting brain function in depression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence linking oxidative stress to the pathophysiology and treatment of depression and bipolar disorder.
- To explore the role of antioxidant compounds as potential therapeutic interventions for affective disorders.
Main Methods:
- Review of selected preclinical (animal) and clinical (human) studies.
- Analysis of oxidative stress markers and endogenous antioxidant compound concentrations in relation to depression and bipolar disorder.
- Evaluation of the impact of antioxidant supplementation on affective disorder symptoms.
Main Results:
- Depression is associated with elevated oxidative stress markers and reduced levels of endogenous antioxidants (e.g., glutathione, vitamin E, zinc, coenzyme Q10) and antioxidant enzymes (e.g., glutathione peroxidase).
- Successful antidepressant therapy can normalize oxidative stress parameters.
- Certain antioxidants, such as zinc, N-acetylcysteine, and omega-3 fatty acids, demonstrate antidepressant properties or enhance conventional treatments.
Conclusions:
- Oxidative stress is a key factor in the development and progression of depression and bipolar disorder.
- Modulating oxidative stress pathways and utilizing antioxidant compounds represent promising therapeutic strategies for affective disorders.
- Further research into antioxidant-based interventions could lead to novel treatments for depression and bipolar disorder.
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