Alterations in zinc homeostasis in depression and antidepressant therapy

Zinc (Zn2+) is an elementary ion which plays a fundamental role in a wide range of biological processes. Zinc is an essential component of various proteins and is an important modulator in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). In CNS, zinc is found at high concentrations in hippocampal and cortical neurons. These neurons possess mechanisms for Zn2+ uptake and storage in synaptic terminals, and stimulation release Zn2+ ions along with neurotransmitters. Zn2+ modulates predominantly the excitatory (glutamatergic) and inhibitory (GABA ergic) amino acid neurotransmission pathways in CNS. Zinc deficiency impairs neuro- and immunoactivity of the mammalian organisms. In the present paper, alterations in the blood and brain zinc concentration in relation to depression and the mechanism of antidepressant therapy are discussed.