title: Quinolinic Acid Responses during Interferon-α-Induced Depressive Symptomatology in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Infection - A Novel Aspect for Depression and Inflammatory Hypothesis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this exploratory study is to gain for the first time a more comprehensive picture of the impact of changes of quinolinic acid concentrations on depressive symptomatology during and after IFN-α therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The quinolinic acid concentrations of 35 HCV patients are examined in a prospective survey over the entire period of IFN-α treatment as well as three months later at six different times (baseline, one, three, six and nine months after the beginning of IFN-α treatment, and after the end of treatment).
  
  
  RESULTS
  During IFN-α treatment Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores rise significantly. At the same time there is greater activity of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, with a resulting increase in plasma kynurenine concentrations. Compared to baseline values quinolinic acid concentrations increase significantly during therapy, reflecting an increased neurotoxic challenge. In addition, patients with higher scores in the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale at six and nine months after starting therapy show significantly higher levels of quinolinic acid concentration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The increase of quinolinic acid during IFN-α therapy might contribute to depressive symptomatology through the neurotoxic challenge caused by quinolinic acid. Subsequently, our exploratory study results support the inflammatory hypothesis of depression. The awareness of relevant risk factors of IFN-α treatment-induced depression is essential to develop preventative treatment strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baranyi
authors.affiliation: Clinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meinitzer
authors.affiliation: Alpen-Adria Universität Klagenfurt, Department of Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship, Klagenfurt, Austria.
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Breitenecker
authors.affiliation: Hospital of the Brothers of St. John of God, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Omid
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Amouzadeh-Ghadikolai
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Rudolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stauber
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Hans-Bernd
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Rothenhäusler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003863:Depression / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007737:Kynurenine / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D017378:Quinolinic Acid / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D007737:Kynurenine; D017378:Quinolinic Acid