Title: Alterations in iron metabolism and the erythron in major
depression: further evidence for a chronic inflammatory process.
Title Abreviation: J Affect Disord Date of Pub: 1996 Sep 9
Author: Maes M; Van de Vyvere J; Vandoolaeghe E; Bril T; Demedts P;
Wauters A; Neels H;
Issue/Part/Supplement: 1-2 Volume Pagination: 23-33
Issue: 40
MESH Headings: Acute-Phase Reaction (DI/DT/*IM); Adrenergic
beta-Antagonists (AD); Adult; Aged; Antidepressive Agents,
Second-Generation (AD); Depressive Disorder (DI/DT/*IM); Dose-Response
Relationship, Drug; Drug Administration Schedule; Drug Therapy,
Combination; Erythrocyte Count (*); Erythrocyte Indices; Female; Ferritin
(BL); Fluoxetine (AD); Hematocrit; Hemoglobinometry; Human; Iron (*BL);
Male; Middle Age; Pindolol (AD); Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Transferrin
(ME); Trazodone (AD); -RN-;
Journal Title Code: H3V Publication Type: CLINICAL TRIAL
Date of Entry: 970204N Entry Month: 9704
Country: NETHERLANDS Index Priority: 2
Language: Eng Unique Identifier: 97037264
Unique Identifier:
97037264 ISSN: 0165-0327
Abstract: There is now some evidence that major depression is accompanied
by biochemical and immune changes pointing to the presence of a chronic
inflammatory response. The latter condition is reportedly characterized by
changes in iron (Fe) metabolism and the erythron, such as decreased serum
Fe and transferrin (Tf) and increased serum ferritin, lower number of red
blood cells (RBC), lower hematocrit (Htc) and hemoglobin (Hb). The aim of
the present study was to examine Fe metabolism and the erythron in 38
major depressed subjects versus 15 normal volunteers, as well as the
effects of antidepressant treatments on these variables. Major depressed
subjects had significantly lower serum Fe and Tf, a lower number of RBC,
lower Htc and Hb, and a significantly increased number of reticulocytes
than normal controls. Serum ferritin was significantly higher in major
depressed patients with melancholia than in those with simple major
depression and normal controls. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), MC Hb
(MCH), MC Hb concentration (MCHC) and RBC distribution width (RDW) were
not significantly different between major depressed subjects and normal
controls. Treatment with antidepressants during 5 weeks had no significant
effect on the alterations in number of RBC and reticulocytes, Htc, Hb, Fe
and Tf. There were significant relationships between the above Fe and
erythron variables and established immune-inflammatory markers of major
depression, e.g., lowered serum albumin and zinc and the increased
electrophoretically-separated alpha 1-globulin fraction. The results
suggest that the disorders in Fe metabolism and the erythron during major
depression may be induced by the immune-inflammatory response in that
illness.
Abstract By: Author
Address: University Department of Psychiatry, AZ Stuivenberg, Antwerp,
Belgium.
