[Apoptosis of immunocompetent cells in patients with depressive disorders].

A comprehensive evaluation of biological indices has been carried out in 26 patients with depressive disorders and in 20 age- and sex-matched controls. Indices of programmed cell death (apoptosis) in subpopulations of blood lymphocytes and concentration of cortisone in blood serum were determined. Significantly enhanced apoptosis was observed in the lymphocytes of depressive patients as shown by increased percentage of lymphocytes expressing FAS-receptor and cells with morphological changes characteristic of apoptosis (nuclear condensation, vacuolation.