TY - JOUR
T1 - Elevated plasma nitrate levels in depressive states
AU - Suzuki, Eiji
AU - Yagi, Gohei
AU - Nakaki, Toshio
AU - Kanba, Shigenobu
AU - Asai, Masahiro
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was supported in part by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C) from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture, and by funding from Oume Keiyu Hospital (Dr N. Otsuka, Director).
PY - 2001
Y1 - 2001
N2 - Background: Previous studies have shown that nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitors show preclinical antidepressant-like properties, suggesting that NO is involved in the pathogenesis of depression. The purpose of this study is to examine whether or not NO production increases in depressed patients. Methods: Plasma nitrate concentrations, an index of NO production, were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography in depressed patients (n = 17) and compared with patients suffering anxiety (n = 6) and with healthy controls (n = 12). Results: Plasma nitrate concentrations were significantly higher in depressed patients than in patients with an anxiety disorder (P < 0.05) or in controls (P < 0.01). Limitations: The study group was small. The source of the surplus production of NO in patients with major depressive episode remains unclear. Conclusions: These results suggest that NO production is increased in depression.
AB - Background: Previous studies have shown that nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitors show preclinical antidepressant-like properties, suggesting that NO is involved in the pathogenesis of depression. The purpose of this study is to examine whether or not NO production increases in depressed patients. Methods: Plasma nitrate concentrations, an index of NO production, were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography in depressed patients (n = 17) and compared with patients suffering anxiety (n = 6) and with healthy controls (n = 12). Results: Plasma nitrate concentrations were significantly higher in depressed patients than in patients with an anxiety disorder (P < 0.05) or in controls (P < 0.01). Limitations: The study group was small. The source of the surplus production of NO in patients with major depressive episode remains unclear. Conclusions: These results suggest that NO production is increased in depression.
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U2 - 10.1016/S0165-0327(00)00164-6
DO - 10.1016/S0165-0327(00)00164-6
M3 - Article
C2 - 11246099
AN - SCOPUS:0035089566
VL - 63
SP - 221
EP - 224
JO - Journal of Affective Disorders
JF - Journal of Affective Disorders
SN - 0165-0327
IS - 1-3
ER -
