[The link of platelet cytochrome C-oxidase activity with some clinical parameters of depression in elderly patients].

Objective: To search for correlations between platelet cytochrome c-oxidase (COX) activity and the quality of therapeutic outcomes and other clinical parameters of depression in elderly patients.

Material And Methods: Twenty elderly women, aged 55-78 years, with depressive episodes in recurrent depressive disorder (RDD) or bipolar affective disorder (BD) were studied. COX activity and severity of depression were evaluated twice: before the beginning of antidepressant treatment and at the 28-th day of the therapy, using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A).

Results: Significant correlations were revealed between platelet COX activity and some clinical parameters of the disease and the severity of depression in patients after treatment. The baseline level of the platelet COX activity was correlated with the age of disease onset (R= -0.63, =0.003) and its duration (R=0.55, =0.010). Significant negative correlations were also found between the baseline level of COX activity and depression severity (HAMD-17 total score) (R= -0.48, =0.032) and the severity of anxiety (HARSHAM-A total score) (R= -0.54, =0.010) after 28-day treatment.

Conclusion: This pilot study has revealed a link between platelet COX activity and the severity of depression and anxiety after a 28-day antidepressant therapy. The results indicate the prospects for further study of COX as a biomarker of therapeutic outcomes in elderly patients with depression.