S. Baroni, I. Masala, E. Di Nasso, G. Giannaccini, L. Betti, D. Marazziti - Vol. 7, Marzo 2001, num.1
Testo Immagini Bibliografia Summary Riassunto Indice
Recettori piastrinici a2-adrenergici
nella depressione maggiore: correlazione con la sintomatologia
Platelet alpha2-adrenocpetors in major depression: correlation with symptoms
Background and objective
Depression is associated with changes of various noradrenergic measures.
The assessment of platelet a2-adrenoceptors, which are nearly identical to
those present on noradrenergic neurons, proved to be most useful, although
literature data are somewhat controversial. For this reason, we measured platelet
a2-adrenoceptors of depressed outpatients, comparing them to those of healthy
controls, by means of specific binding of [3H]rauwolscine, a highly selective
antagonist for this receptor subtype; we also analysed the correlation between
depressive symptoms, as assessed through the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale
(HAM-D), and the biological measures.
Method
Fifteen outpatients affected by DSM-IV major depression and eleven healthy
controls were included in the study. Platelet membranes were treated and [3H]rauwolscine
binding was carried out according to standardized protocols. Binding data
were transformed by means of the EBDA computed program to obtain receptor
density (Bmax, fmol/mg) and affinity
(Kd, nM).
Results
No difference emerged between patients and controls regarding both Bmax
and Kd. However, in depressed patients, Bmax correlated positively with total
HAM-D scores
Conclusion
In conclusion, although there seems that there are no changes in the number
or affinity of platelet a2-adrenoceptors in major depression, platelet a2-adrenoceptor
density appears to be correlated with depressive symptom severity.