Decreased serum fibroblast growth factor - 2 levels in pre- and post-treatment patients with major depressive disorder

Neurosci Lett. 2014 Sep 5:579:168-72. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2014.07.035. Epub 2014 Jul 29.

Abstract

Increasing evidence indicates that neurotrophic factor dysfunction might be involved in the pathophysiology and treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2, one of the major neurotrophins, plays an important role in the central nervous system (CNS). The aim of this study was to explore whether the FGF-2 in serum was associated with MDD and to evaluate the effects of antidepressant treatment on serum FGF-2 levels. Serum FGF-2 levels were determined in 28 pre- and post-treatment MDD patients and 30 healthy controls using ELISA. The results of the current study revealed that serum FGF-2 levels in MDD patients were significantly lower than those in healthy controls (p=0.005), and the serum FGF-2 levels decreased significantly but marginally following treatment for 8 weeks (p=0.005). These findings demonstrate that the lower serum FGF-2 levels contribute to the pathophysiology of MDD and that FGF-2 may be used as a peripheral biological marker for MDD.

Keywords: Antidepressant; FGF-2; Major depressive disorder; Neuroplasticity; Serum treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / drug therapy*
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / metabolism*
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / psychology
  • Female
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / blood*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2