Plasma levels of tetrahydrobiopterin and folate in major depression.
Plasma levels of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) and the related pterin folate were concurrently measured in 20 pairs of depressed patients and age-matched controls. The mean values of plasma BH4 in depressed patients was significantly elevated to a level about 150% of that found in the controls. Folate levels were not different between groups. These findings emphasize that BH4, a required cofactor in the biosynthesis of catecholamines and indolamines, is altered in depression.
Knapp
S
S
VA Medical Center, Clinical Center on Alcoholism, San Diego, CA 92161.
Irwin
M
M
D000328:Adult; D001708:Biopterins / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood
D001708:Biopterins; D005492:Folic Acid; C003402:sapropterin; D014805:Vitamin B 12