Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2025
Caspase-3 Activity in the Rat Amygdala Measured by Spectrofluorometry After Myocardial Infarction
Published on: January 12, 2016
Homoarginine concentrations correlate with early depressive symptoms and the reduction in physical functioning within
Andreas Baranyi1, Andreas Meinitzer2, Dirk von Lewinski3
1Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Division of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036, Graz, Austria. an.baranyi@medunigraz.at.
Insights
Low levels of the amino acid homoarginine (hArg) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are linked to early depressive symptoms like fatigue and poor concentration. Plasma hArg levels normalized after six months but were lower in females post-AMI.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Biochemistry
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Early depressive symptoms after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) manifest as performance deficits.
- Homoarginine (hArg), a non-proteinogenic amino acid, influences nitric oxide (NO) availability, impacting physiological performance.
- Low plasma hArg levels post-AMI may contribute to performance-related depressive symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To track plasma hArg concentrations in AMI patients immediately, on day 4, and at 6 months post-event.
- To investigate the association between hArg levels and early depressive symptoms following AMI.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study design.
- Measurement of plasma hArg concentrations at multiple time points after AMI.
- Assessment of depressive symptoms using HAMD-17 and BDI-II scales, focusing on performance-related aspects.
Main Results:
- Plasma hArg levels decreased by day 4 post-AMI, independent of patient demographics or AMI type.
- hArg concentrations returned to baseline levels by 6 months.
- Females exhibited lower hArg levels than males early after AMI.
- Low hArg concentrations correlated with higher depression scores and performance-related symptoms (fatigue, poor concentration, reduced physical functioning) within days of AMI.
Conclusions:
- Plasma hArg levels show a transient decrease after AMI, particularly in females.
- Low hArg concentrations are associated with early performance-related depressive symptoms post-AMI.
- hArg may play a role in the pathophysiology of early post-AMI depression.
Abstract:
Early depressive symptoms within the first days after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are mainly manifested with performance parameters (lack of energy, concentration difficulties, reduction in physical functioning). Homoarginine (hArg), a non-proteinogenic amino acid, might increase the availability of nitric oxide (NO). NO controls vasodilatation, blood flow, mitochondrial respiration and improves performance. Therefore, low plasma hArg levels after an AMI might impact performance-related early depressive symptoms. This longitudinal study aims to determine the course of plasma hArg concentrations immediately, on the fourth day and 6 months after AMI and investigates the associations between hArg and early depressive symptoms. A decrease in hArg levels, as observed in AMI patients on the fourth day after AMI, was independent of gender, age, body-mass-index and AMI type. After six months, hArg concentrations no longer differed significantly from baseline values. Females had lower hArg concentrations shortly after and also four days after the AMI compared to males. Within the first days after AMI HAMD-17 and BDI-II total depression scores and performance-related early depressive symptoms such as lack of energy, concentration difficulties and reduction in physical functioning correlated with low hArg concentrations.
More Related Videos
10:03Coronary Progenitor Cells and Soluble Biomarkers in Cardiovascular Prognosis after Coronary Angioplasty
Published on: January 28, 2020
14:35Post-Myocardial Infarction Heart Failure in Closed-chest Coronary Occlusion/Reperfusion Model in Göttingen Minipigs and Landrace Pigs
Published on: April 17, 2021
Related Concept Videos
01:19Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
01:20Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...
01:26Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System