Platelet 5-HT2A-receptor-mediated induction of aggregation is not altered in major depression.
BACKGROUND
Studies of the 5-HT(2A) receptor subtype in major depression have focused on the density of these receptors in neuronal cells and platelets, showing an up-regulation secondary to a deficit in serotonergic activity in major depression. However, their functional state has often been disregarded. The aim of the study was to investigate whether depressed patients show abnormalities in the function of the 5-HT(2A) receptor pathway in platelets.


METHODS
The percentage of serotonin-amplified platelet aggregation to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) was assessed in 30 untreated patients with major depressive disorder and in 15 controls. Since 5-HT(2A) platelet receptors mediate the serotonin-induced platelet aggregation response, this index was used as a measure of the functional status of the platelet 5-HT(2A) receptor pathway.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in the percentage of serotonin-amplified platelet aggregation to ADP between depressed patients and controls. No correlation with the severity of depression, as assessed by the Hamilton scale, was found.


CONCLUSIONS
The results showed no consistent changes in the platelet aggregating responses to serotonin in the depressed patients. Therefore this study does not support the hypothesis of an alteration of the functional status of platelet 5-HT(2A) receptors in major depression.
Gómez-Gil
Esther
E
Instituto Clínic de Psiquiatría y Psicología, Hospital Clínic, Institut d'investigacions Biomediques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Villaroel 170, 08036 Barcelona, Spain. esgomez@clinic.ub.es
Gastó
Cristóbal
C
Díaz-Ricart
Maribel
M
Carretero
Marta
M
Salamero
Manel
M
Catalán
Rosa
R
Escolar
Ginés
G
D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate / Q000494:pharmacology; D000328:Adult; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009391:Nephelometry and Turbidimetry; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D044402:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000097:blood*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000494:pharmacology; D012727:Sex Characteristics
D044402:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D012701:Serotonin; D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate