Duloxetine, a Selective Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitor, Increased Plasma Levels of 3-Methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol but Not Homovanillic Acid in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the effects of duloxetine on the plasma levels of catecholamine metabolites and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in 64 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).


METHODS
Major depressive episode was diagnosed using the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-fourth edition (DSM-IV) according to the DSM-IV text revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria. The severity of depression was evaluated using the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-17). Blood sampling and clinical evaluation were performed on days 0, 28, and 56.


RESULTS
Duloxetine treatment for 8 weeks significantly increased the plasma 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) levels but not the homovanillic acid (HVA) levels in responders with MDD.


CONCLUSIONS
These results imply that noradrenaline plays an important role in alleviating depressive symptoms.
Department of Psychiatry, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan.
Kiyokazu
K
Atake
Department of Psychiatry, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan.
Reiji
R
Yoshimura
Department of Psychiatry, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan.
Hikaru
H
Hori
Department of Psychiatry, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan.
Asuka
A
Katsuki
Department of Psychiatry, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan.
Atsuko
A
Ikenouchi-Sugita
Department of Psychiatry, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan.
Wakako
W
Umene-Nakano
Department of Psychiatry, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan.
Jun
J
Nakamura
3-Methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol; Brain-derived neurotrophic factor; Duloxetine; Homovanillic acid; Major depressive disorder