Depression (MDD) is a leading psychiatric entity worldwide, with a high impact on individual life and public health. In recent years, efforts have been made to elucidate its biological underpinnings. MDD biomarker research provides promise for a better understanding of the biochemical processes involved in its pathogenesis. Oxidative and nitrosative stress (O&NS) and lipid disturbances are reported as major factors favoring the occurrence of depression. A total of 29 patients with MDD and 30 healthy volunteers were examined using the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D), the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Blood and urine were collected to search for potential MDD biomarkers. O&NS parameters and β-amyloid were assessed in the urine, while cholesterol fractions were assessed in the blood. The group of depressed patients was characterized by higher concentrations of urine superoxide dismutase (SOD), 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), tryptophan (TRY), and serum triglycerides (TGA), along with lower levels of serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Elevated urine 3-NT and decreased serum HDL, considered together, were found to have the greatest potential as markers of depression. The study supports the importance of oxidative stress and cholesterol disturbances in MDD. Further research is required to assess their clinical usefulness as markers.
Keywords: 3-nitrotyrosine; HDL; MDD; biomarker; cholesterol; depression; marker; oxidative stress; urine; β-amyloid.