Metabolic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Antidepressants in Patients Diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder: A Prospective Cohort Study

Introduction: There is growing evidence showing a correlation between major depression disorder (MDD), metabolic syndrome and inflammation. To examine the influence of antidepressant medications on the metabolic, inflammatory profiles, oxidative stress and endothelial derangement of patients suffering from MDD. Results Depressive patients displayed significantly higher serum triglycerides than control group, which increased significantly during eight weeks of antidepressive treatment. In the patients' group, serum levels of ALT and AST increased significantly during treatment. Serum peroxide level was significantly higher in patients before and during treatment vs. controls and decreased significantly in the patients' group during treatment. Macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 and hs-CRP serum levels were higher in patients before treatment as compared with controls. The percentage of gated IgM CD19 + and CD14 + cells in depressive patients before treatment was significantly higher than in the control group. The percentage of T regulatory cells increased significantly during antidepressive treatment. Discussion MDD patients had increased oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, metabolic derangements and endothelial injury. Antidepressant medications increased the percentage of T regulatory cells. Methods Twenty-nine patients aged 22-58 who were diagnosed with MDD but not medicated, were selected for the study. During the 8-week duration of the research, patients received anti-depressant medication.