title: Decreased serum semicarbazide sensitive aminooxidase (SSAO) activity in patients with major depression.
abstract: Semicarbazide sensitive aminooxidase (SSAO) is known to interplay with monoamine oxidases (MAO) and several antidepressants. Taking into account the monoamine hypothesis concerning the pathophysiology of depression, the aim of the present pilot study was to evaluate serum SSAO activity in depressed patients. A total of 21 inpatients with major depression and 41 healthy controls were studied. Serum SSAO activity was determined by HPLC on days 1, 5 and 10 of inpatient treatment. At baseline without medication including antidepressants, highly depressed patients (MADRS score>or=30) had significantly decreased serum SSAO activity (mean 385+/-161 mU/l) when compared to healthy controls (mean 526+/-141 mU/l; p=0.003). This SSAO decrease was less pronounced at day 5 and day 10 under an antidepressive drug regime. Decreased serum SSAO activity was observed in patients with major depression, especially in those with high MADRS scores. The present results support the hypothesis of dysfunctional monoaminergic metabolism in the pathogenesis of depressive disorders. The disputable association between depression and monoamine metabolism requires further investigation, particularly with regard to SSAO activity and medication status.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schwabachanlage 6, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Veit
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Roessner
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Beck
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kornhuber
authors.forename: Helge
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Frieling
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bleich
mesh_terms: D006631:Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing) / Q000097:blood*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D006631:Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing)