Serum serotonin, leptin, and adiponectin changes in women with postpartum depression: controlled study

Postpartum depression (PPD) affects nearly 10% of mothers after delivery and has many serious results. Although many factors associated with PPD, the etiology, and pathophysiology of PPD are not known completely. The relationship between serum serotonin concentration and depression is well known, but there are no enough data regarding the serum change of leptin and adiponectin. The aims of this study are to research the level of serum serotonin, leptin,s and adiponectin concentrations in women with PPD.

A controlled trial has been conducted in three centers. Two hundred and forty four women were evaluated at postpartum day 10 with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDD). Venous blood samples were collected and serotonin, and leptin and adiponectin levels were studied using human enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of serum levels of serotonin, leptin, and adiponectin between women with PPD and without. A p value of <0.05 was considered significant.

PPD was detected in 70 postpartum women. The mean serum serotonin level was significantly lower in the group with PPD (p = 0.001), while mean serum adiponectin level was higher (p = 0.001). The mean serum leptin level was not different (p = 0.133).

The serum adiponectin and leptin levels were high in women with PPD. This could play important role in the pathophysiology of PPD. Elevation of serum levels also may play antidepressant role against PPD, especially the early postpartum period.