The plasma level of angiotensinII in patients with depression before and after treatment

Objective:To explore the change of plasma angiotensinⅡ in patients with depression,and the relationship between angiotensinⅡand depressive symptoms. Methods:Thirty-one depressed patients diagnosed with Chinese Classification and Diagnostic Criteria for Mental Disorders criteria(3rd edition) were recruited and treated with citalopram for 6 weeks,and 30 healthy volunteers recruited as controls. The plasma angiotensinⅡ was measured with radioimmunoassay before and after treatment. The severity of symptom was evaluated with the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression(HAMD) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety(HAMA). Results:The plasma angiotensinⅡ level was significantly higher in patients before treatment than that in controls(436.75 ± 239.14)pg/ml vs(130.42 ± 47.85)pg/ml P = 0.000,and significantly decreased after treatment(205.97 ± 155.00)pg/ml,P = 0.000. There was significantly negative correlation between the reduction of plasma angiotensinⅡand the reduction rate of HAMD and HAMA scoreHAMD(r =-0.457,P = 0.022);HAMA(r =-0.473,P = 0.017). Conclusion:It suggested that the angiotensinⅡmight be involved in pathophysiology of depression.