[Changes and significance of orphanin and serotonin in patients with postpartum depression].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes of orphanin (OFQ) and serotonin (5-HT) in the patients with postpartum depression (PPD). METHODS: Twenty one patients with postpartum depression (PPD group) and 25 healthy lying-in women (control group) were studied. The concentrations of plasma OFQ were measured by radioimmunoassay. The levels of 5-HT were measured with high-pressure liquid chromatography with electrochemical detector. RESULTS: (1) The levels of plasma OFQ in PPD group were (28.5 +/- 5.8) ng/L, in control group, the levels of OFQ was (10.4 +/- 3.7) ng/L, the levels of OFQ in PPD group were significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.01). (2) The levels of plasma 5-HT in PPD group and control group were (1.0 +/- 0.3) micro mol/L and (1.4 +/- 0.4) micro mol/L respectively, the levels of 5-HT in PPD group decreased significantly (P < 0.05). (3) In the PPD group, there was a significant negative correlation between the OFQ and 5-HT level (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The PPD was associated with OFQ and 5-HT, the changes of OFQ levels may play an important role in the pathogenesis of the PPD.