Lower activity of salivary alpha-amylase in youths with depression

Measurement of basal and stress-induced salivary alpha-amylase activity may help to understand autonomic nervous system disturbance in mental disorders. The potential sympathetic nervous system dysregulation in children and adolescent psychopathologies is mostly unknown. The present study was aimed to test the hypothesis that salivary alpha-amylase activity is higher in youths diagnosed with depression than in healthy subjects considering a part of the daily rhythm of enzyme activity and its morning to midday slope. A total of 30 children aged 15 ± 0.46 years (15 patients with depression, 4 boys, 11 girls, and 15 sex- and age-matched healthy controls) participated in the study. Two saliva samples were collected from each subject to measure activity of alpha-amylase in the morning and midday. The results of the present study revealed that the midday but not morning alpha-amylase activity was lower in patients with depression than in healthy controls. The diurnal increase in enzyme activity present in healthy subjects was absent in patients. The children and adolescents with depression exhibited flatter morning to midday slopes of alpha-amylase activity. In conclusion, the present results indicate a disturbance of alpha-amylase daily rhythm in youths with depression and motivate further studies on the relationship between sympathetic activation and mood disorders.

Neuroinflammation and depressive disorder: The role of the hypothalamus

Data accumulated over the last two decades has demonstrated that hypothalamic inflammation plays an important role in the etiopathogenesis of the most prevalent diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, and even cancer. Recent findings indicate that hypothalamic inflammation is also associated with stress exposure and certain psychiatric diseases, such as depressive disorder. Mechanistic studies have shown that intense and/or chronic stress exposure is accompanied by the synthesis of inflammatory molecules in the hypothalamus, altered hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity, and development of glucocorticoid resistance. Consequently, these factors might play a role in the etiopathogenesis of psychiatric disorders. We propose that hypothalamic inflammation represents an interconnection between somatic diseases and depressive disorder. These assumptions are discussed in this mini-review in the light of available data from studies focusing on hypothalamic inflammation.

Changed Plasma Levels of Zinc and Copper to Zinc Ratio and Their Possible Associations with Parent- and Teacher-Rated Symptoms in Children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with alterations in the metabolism of some trace elements which may participate in the pathogenesis of this disorder. The aims of the present study were to investigate the trace element status (copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), copper to zinc ratio (Cu/Zn ratio), selenium (Se), and lead (Pb)) of ADHD children and compare them with the control group. Associations between examined elements and ratings of ADHD symptoms were also assessed. Fifty-eight ADHD children and 50 healthy children (aged 6-14 years) were included in the study. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Se in the plasma and Pb in the whole blood were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. We found lower Zn level (p = 0.0005) and higher Cu/Zn ratio (p = 0.015) in ADHD children when compared with the control group. Copper levels in ADHD children were higher than those in the control group, but not significantly (p > 0.05). No significant differences in levels of Se and Pb between both groups were found. Zinc levels correlated with parent-rated score for inattention (r = -0.231, p = 0.029) as well as with teacher-rated score for inattention (r = -0.328, p = 0.014). Cu/Zn ratio correlated with teacher-rated score for inattention (r = 0.298, p = 0.015). Significant associations of Se and Pb with parent- and teacher-rated symptoms were not observed. The results of this study indicate that there are alterations in plasma levels of Cu and Zn as well as significant relationships to symptoms of ADHD.

Psychiatric disorders and omega-3 fatty acids

Psychiatric disorders, especially mood disorders in children and adolescent are serious problem of all over the world in the field of child and adolescent psychiatry. In the recent years mood disorders occur in the earlier age. The prevalence of major depression (MD) is about 1-2% in preadolescent children and 3-8% in adolescents. When the major depression is not treated there is a big risk of worsening of symptoms, risk of suicide and development of comorbid disorders. The quality of life of the patient and its family is decreasing in the whole view. The molecular basis of major depression is not well known. The main pathomechanism of MD is in noradrenergic, serotonergic and dopaminergic pathway dysregulation, nutition factors, which can influence structure and metabolism of lipids. It was found decreased level of omega 3 fatty aids (FA), increased ratio of omega 6/omega 3 FA in the serum and in erythrocyte membrane. It is supposed that the oxidative neuronal injury can be prevented by dietary supplementation of antioxidants and that membrane phospholipids can be repaired by dietary supplementation of fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids may also participate in modulation of membrane fluidity, which influences the transmission of neurotransmitters. The membrane fluidity is affected by the ratio of phospholipids to free cholesterol. In addition, activation of the inflammatory response was found in depressive patients through increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1b, IL-6, interferon gamma, TNF-alpha) and eicosanoids (prostaglandin E2) in blood and cerebrospinal fluid. This results in increased lipid peroxidation and degradation of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which may result in increased oxidative stress. Omega-3 fatty acids also stimulate anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10) or inhibit the cyclooxygenase, platelet aggregation and formation of eicosanoids. The potential molecular mechanisms will be discussed.

WITHDRAWN: Natural polyphenols modify trace element status and improve clinical symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

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