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Effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors on DNA damage in patients with depression

Mahnaz Ahmadimanesh1, Mohammad Reza Abbaszadegan2, Dorsa Morshedi Rad3

  • 1Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

Journal of Psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
|September 27, 2019
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Depression elevates DNA damage and oxidative stress. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment significantly reduces DNA damage and inflammation markers in patients with depression.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Depression is linked to increased oxidative stress and DNA damage, contributing to aging in psychiatric disorders.
  • Oxidative DNA damage, specifically 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), is a key factor in aging and psychiatric conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of depression and its treatment on DNA damage.
  • To examine the effects of selective serotonin reuptuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) on DNA damage and repair enzyme expression in depressed patients.

Main Methods:

  • A 15-week open-label study involving patients with depression treated with citalopram or sertraline.
  • Measurement of DNA damage (comet assay), oxidative stress marker (8-OHdG), inflammation marker (IL-6), and DNA repair enzyme gene expression (OGG1, PARP1).
  • Comparison of markers between depressed patients at baseline, after treatment, and healthy controls.

Main Results:

  • Patients with depression exhibited elevated DNA damage, 8-OHdG, IL-6, and PARP1 expression compared to healthy controls.
  • SSRI treatment significantly reduced depression scores, DNA damage, 8-OHdG, and IL-6 levels.
  • No significant changes were observed in the expression of DNA repair enzymes PARP1 and OGG1 after SSRI treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Depression is associated with increased DNA damage, triggering compensatory DNA repair mechanisms.
  • SSRI treatment effectively lowers oxidative DNA damage and inflammation in patients with depression.
  • This study is the first to demonstrate the effect of SSRIs on DNA damage and repair enzymes in depression.
Keywords:
CitalopramDNA damageDNA repairdepressionsertraline

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