Relationship Between Oxidative Stress Concentration and Postpartum Depression: A Cohort Study

Abstract

Background: Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that has harmful effects on infants and family relationships. However, its low diagnostic rate (50%) limits the proper treatment of women suffering from this disorder. The identification of women who are at risk can be useful. Oxidative stress may be a risk factor for depression. Oxidative stress occurs when the production of reactive species exceeds the capacity of cellular antioxidant defenses to remove these toxic species. However, little is known about the peripheral oxidative stress in depressive disorder. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the relationship between oxidative stress during pregnancy and postpartum depression. Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted in the health centers affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences from January to May 2017. Eighty pregnant women were assessed for serum total antioxidant capacity and Malondialdehyde levels at 38-40 weeks of pregnancy. They were also assessed for postpartum blues (using Maternity Blues Questionnaire of Stein) and postpartum depressive symptoms (using Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Rating Scale, EPDRS) on day 3 and at 4-6 weeks after delivery, respectively. The chi-square, Mann-Whitney, and linear regression were used to analyze the relationship between oxidative stress and depressive symptoms. Results: The prevalence of postpartum blues and postpartum depression was 45% and 27%, respectively. The mean serum total antioxidant capacity was significantly lower in the depression group (P < 0.05). There was a significant reverse correlation between serum total antioxidant capacity and EPDRS scores (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The present study demonstrated a relationship between the serum total antioxidant capacity and postpartum depression.

Antidepressant Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Quercus Brantii and Oil of Quercus Brantii on a Rat Model of Postpartum Depression

“…Consistent with our findings, many studies have found that lower levels of antioxidants and higher levels of oxidative stress biomarkers, such as MDA, play a role in the development of depression [39][40][41]. In the meantime, there is some research indicating that there were no significant differences in MDA levels between the depressed and non-depressed groups [42,43]. In addition, many studies, as well as our results, reported that there was a significant difference in antioxidant enzymes between patients with major depression, including PPD, and nondepressed participants [44,45].…”

Effects of α-pinene Administration During Pregnancy on Depressive-like Behavior Following Delivery in Mice

“…So far, only a handful of studies have evaluated the role played by antioxidants in depressive symptoms or depression (Beydoun et al, 2013). A relationship was reported between the serum total antioxidant capacity and postpartum depression (Alamolhoda et al, 2020). MDA is the main reflecting factor during PPD.…”

Selenium Intake and Postnatal Depression—A Short Review

“…High expression of proinflammatory cytokines (such as interleukin (IL)-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6) has been observed in inflammation models of depression in rodents. Furthermore, the results of a recent prospective cohort study on the relationship between oxidative stress and postpartum depression showed a significant inverse correlation between serum total antioxidant capacity and EPDS scores [ 12 ]. A recent meta-analysis of studies that reported immune marker levels in the peripheral blood of patients with depression and matched the healthy controls revealed significant elevations in the levels of several proinflammatory cytokines and C-reactive protein in patients with depression [ 76 ].…”

“…Pathophysiological mechanisms underlying postnatal depression are diverse. The roles of neuroendocrine alterations, disruptions in neurotransmission, circuit dysfunction, neuroinflammatory processes, and oxidative stress over the course of gestation, as well as genetic and epigenetic factors, have been discussed [ 11 , 12 ].…”