title: Platelet 5-HT(1A) receptor correlates with major depressive disorder in drug-free patients.
abstract: The platelet serotonergic system has potential biomarker utility for major depressive disorder (MDD). In the present study, platelet expression of 5-HT1A receptors and serotonin transporter (SERT) proteins, and serotonin (5-HT) and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were quantified in 53 patients with MDD and 22 unaffected controls. All were drug-free, non-smokers and had no other psychiatric and cardiovascular comorbidity. The severity of depression symptoms was evaluated using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) and the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS). Patients with MDD had significantly higher expression of platelet 5-HT1A receptors but significantly lower contents of platelet 5-HT, platelet-poor plasma (PPP) 5-HT and PPP 5-HIAA compared to healthy controls, and this was correlated with the severity of depression. SERT expression did not differ between the two groups. Correlation analysis confirmed a strong, inverse relationship between the 5-HT1A receptor expression and the 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels. Thus overexpression of platelet 5-HT1A receptors and reduced 5-HT tone may function as a peripheral marker of depression.
authors.affiliation: School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. Electronic address: zhangzj@hku.hk.
authors.forename: Zhang-Jin
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; College of Life Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, Jilin, China.
authors.forename: Di
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Sui Cheung
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Man
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Kowloon Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Science, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Grainne M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: McAlonan
authors.affiliation: School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Hei Kiu
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Jade
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
authors.forename: Qing-Rong
authors.initials: QR
authors.lastname: Tan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D044282:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A / Q000097:blood*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000097:blood; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D044282:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A; D012701:Serotonin; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid
keywords: 5-HT(1A) receptor; 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA); Major depressive disorder; Platelet; Serotonin