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. 2021 Sep-Oct;63(5):456-461.
doi: 10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_1441_20. Epub 2021 Oct 12.

Serum nitric oxide levels are depleted in depressed patients treated with electroconvulsive therapy

Murat İlhan Atagun  1 , Ozge Canbek Atay  2 , Ozlem D Balaban  2 , Derya Ipekcioglu  2 , Baris Alpugan  2 , Suat Yalcin  2 , Almila Senat  3 , Nesrin Karamustafalioglu  2 , Mehmet C Ilnem  2 , Ozcan Erel  3
Affiliations

Serum nitric oxide levels are depleted in depressed patients treated with electroconvulsive therapy

Murat İlhan Atagun et al. Indian J Psychiatry. 2021 Sep-Oct.

Abstract

Background: Nitric oxide (NO) is an endogenous substance which has several endocrine functions and may act as neurotransmitter in the brain. High levels of NO may provoke nitrosative stress.

Aim: It was aimed to examine serum levels of NO in patients with depressive episodes who were treated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in this study.

Methods: The design was a case-control, follow-up study. Patients with depressive episodes (n = 23) and a healthy control group (n = 21) were enrolled. Three serum samples were obtained from the patient group (before ECT, after first and seventh sessions). NO, nitrite, and nitrate levels were examined.

Statistical analysis: Differences between groups were examined with t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test. Longitudinal data were evaluated with Panel Regression Analysis and Kruskal-Wallis Test.

Results: Serum levels of NO and nitrite decreased significantly after the seventh session of ECT administration compared to the baseline and first session. Nitrate levels did not differ between the assessments.

Conclusions: Reduction of the serum NO and nitrite levels might be a contributing factor for hypertension during the sessions. These findings are reflect the circulating NO levels. Further studies may dissect NO physiology in the brain in mental disorders and potential external effects.

Keywords: Depressive disorder; electroconvulsive therapy; nitric oxide.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Comparison of nitric oxide (NO) within the patient group showed that NO levels decreased significantly after seventh session in the patient group. *Denotes statistical significance
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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