Platelet serotonin and magnesium concentrations in suicidal and non-suicidal depressed patients

Abstract

The pathophysiology and treatment of depression involves monoamine neurotransmitters and the magnesium (Mg)-modulated monoaminergic pathway. Serum and platelet Mg concentrations and platelet serotonin concentrations were measured in 79 depressed patients who had attempted suicide, and 101 patients without suicidal behaviour, according to the ICD-10 diagnoses F 33.2 and F32.2, with or without intentional self-harm (X60-X84). The control group consisted of 77 voluntary blood donors. The platelet serotonin concentration was determined using the competitive enzyme immunoassay test: Mg concentrations in platelets and serum were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The ANOVA test showed significantly lower serum Mg in the group of depressive patients who had attempted suicide (N = 257, F = 8.32, p<0.001), compared to depressive patients who had not, and the control group. Serum albumin was lower in the group of depressive patients who had attempted suicide and showed a significant, positive correlation with serum Mg concentrations. Platelet Mg concentrations were found to be higher in depressive patients who had not attempted suicide (N = 257, F = 3.90, p = 0.012) compared to the control group, with no difference compared to depressive patients who had attempted suicide. The Kruskal Wallis test (N = 257, H = 48.54, p<0.0001) showed the lowest concentration of platelet serotonin in the groups of depressed patients with and without suicidal behaviour, compared to the healthy control group. A positive correlation was found between platelet Mg and serotonin concentrations only in the healthy control group. In conclusion, differences were observed in serum and platelet Mg concentrations, which represent progress in the study of Mg status and its relation to serotonin.

Relationship Between Stress Level, Physical Activity, and Consumption Pattern of Magnesium With Emotional Eating in Overweight Adolescents

“…Thus, the group rarely consuming magnesium food sources was more at risk of experiencing emotional eating. Previous study revealed that magnesium intake has an effect on serotonin levels in the blood of depressed patients (23). Serotonin is a hormone synthesized by the central nervous system and cells in the digestive tract and plays an important role in depression, appetite control, and also stress control mechanism (10).…”

“…Stress level data were collected through Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS 42) questionnaire with the following categories: normal (0-14), mild (15)(16)(17)(18), moderate (19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25), severe (26-33) and very severe (> 34) [14]. Physical activity data were gathered through International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) with the following categories: vigorous activity (>3000 METs/week), moderate activity (600-3000 METs/week) and light activity (<600 METs/week) [15].…”

Inverse association between serum albumin and depressive symptoms among drug-free individuals with a recent suicide attempt

“…Having depressive symptoms is an important risk factor for suicide, not only in patients with MDD but with various diagnoses like schizophrenia or alcohol dependence [2,28,29]. This is interesting, as there is some evidence for the relationship between lower albumin levels and attempted suicide [30], which is an important risk group for completed suicide [2][3][4]. These findings, taken together with the well-replicated negative association between depressive symptoms and albumin [10,[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23], raise the issue whether there may be an association between albumin and depressive symptoms among individuals with a recent suicide attempt.…”

Magnesium in drug-naïve patients with a short-duration, first episode of major depressive disorder: impact on psychopathological features

“…The exclusion of individuals with a history of attempted suicide or with current suicidality may account for the plasma magnesium concentrations observed. Ruljancic et al [15] found lower serum magnesium concentrations in MDD patients who had attempted suicide as compared to MDD patients who had not, and controls. Thus, hypomagnesaemia in MDD impacting some specific psychopathological features might be a secondary phenomenon corresponding to exposure to antidepressants, drug-resistance, medical comorbidity, suicidality, impulsivity, pronounced anxiety, or the chronic course of the disorder linked to a persistent proinflammatory response [1][2][3][4][5]15].…”