[Thrombocytic serotoninergic markers in therapy-resistant patients with endogenous depression undergoing...

The main platelet serotoninergic parameters (maximal velosity of 3H-serotonin uptake, Vmax and density of 3H-imipramine binding sites, Bmax) were measured in 17 therapy-resistant endogenously depressed patients before and after combined treatment (antidepressants and alpha-tocopherol). It was found a significant decrease of Vmax-, Vmax/Bmax- values and the increase of Bmax- values in patients before treatment. A beneficial effect of the combined therapy was found in 47% of patients. However, it was not followed by the changes of main platelet serotoninergic parameters in patients after treatment in spite of the obtained clinical improvement. There were not also observed the significant differences of measured biochemical parameters between responders and non-responders. These findings suggest that the beneficial clinical effect of the combined antidepressive therapy with alpha-tocopherol does not involve serotoninergic mechanisms.