title: Plasma and platelet amino acid concentrations in patients affected by major depression and under fluvoxamine treatment.
abstract: Plasma and platelet levels of 18 amino acids were measured in 29 outpatients (mean age +/- SD 47.41 +/- 10.85 years; 14 F, 15 M) affected by major depression (DSM IV) and in 28 healthy volunteers (mean age 42.46 +/- 14.19 years; 12 F, 16 M). Plasma and platelet levels of amino acids tended to be higher in depressed patients than in healthy controls. In particular, glutamate, taurine and lysine plasma levels and aspartate, serine and lysine platelet levels were significantly higher. Tryptophan/large neutral amino acids ratio (trp/LNAAs) was significantly lower in depressed patients. Fluvoxamine treatment did not influence plasma and platelet levels of amino acids or trp/LNAAs ratio.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychiatry, University of Milan, IRCCS, Ospedale Maggiore di Milano, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Mauri
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferrara
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Boscati
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bravin
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zamberlan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alecci
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Invernizzi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000097:blood*; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D016666:Fluvoxamine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D014364:Tryptophan; D016666:Fluvoxamine