title: Depression in pregnancy is associated with decreased glutathione peroxidase activity in fetal cord blood.
abstract: The investigation of fetal cord blood (FCB) during child delivery has created a novel topic in the field of psychiatric research. The umbilical vein receives nutrients and oxygen from the mother's circulation and transports them to the fetal circulation. Investigating fetal cord blood during delivery is beneficial for understanding the fetal environment. Depression in pregnancy is associated with medical and emotional burdens. In this study, we aimed to investigate glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in the FCB of depressed mothers and healthy controls. Our study included 45 depressed mothers and 59 healthy controls. The FCB samples were collected from the umbilical vein during delivery. We found that Gpx levels were significantly decreased in the FCB of depressed mothers than healthy controls, medians were 0.14 U/ml and 0.16 U/ml respectively, Z: -3.567 and p < 0.001. MPO levels were similar in both groups, medians were 1.0 U/L and 1.2 U/L respectively, Z: -1.837 and p:0.066. Depression in pregnancy may be associated with decreased antioxidant levels, and this condition may cause an oxidative load, which may lead to improper brain development. Future studies should be performed in larger samples to clarify our preliminary results.
authors.affiliation: Afşin State Hospital, Psychiatry Clinic, Kahramanmaraş, Turkey. Electronic address: dr.akif@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mehmet Akif
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Camkurt
authors.affiliation: Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University, Psychiatry Clinic, Kahramanmaraş, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ebru
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fındıklı
authors.affiliation: Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University, Obstetry Clinic, Kahramanmaraş, Turkey.
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bakacak
authors.affiliation: Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University, Psychiatry Clinic, Kahramanmaraş, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet Fatih
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Karaaslan
authors.affiliation: Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University, Biochemistry Department, Kahramanmaraş, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fatma İnanç
authors.initials: Fİ
authors.lastname: Tolun
authors.affiliation: İzzet Baysal Research and Training Hospital, Psychiatry Department, Bolu, Turkey.
authors.forename: Taha Can
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Tuman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D002585:Cesarean Section; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood* / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000201:enzymology*; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood* / Q000201:enzymology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
chemical_list: D009195:Peroxidase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase
keywords: Antioxidant; Depression; Fetal cord; Glutathione peroxidase; Myeloperoxidase; Pragnancy; Umbilical cord