Platelet serotonin concentration and monoamine oxidase activity in hypothyroid patients

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Tamara Stipčević
• Author: Sanja Kusačić-Kuna
• Author: Martina Deželjin
• Author: Damir Dodig
• Author: Mirko Koršić
• Author: Nela Pivac
• Author: Dorotea Mück-Šeler
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Clinical Medical Sciences

Abstract (english)

BACKGROUND/AIM: The relationship between the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis and the serotonergic (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) system is not clear. The aim of the study was to determine platelet biochemical markers (5-HT concentration and monoamine oxidase B, MAO-B, activity) in hypothyroid patients. ----- METHODS: The study included 25 medication-free female hypothyroid patients in postoperative follow-up after total thyroidectomy due to papillary thyroid carcinoma, who had not been treated with synthetic thyroxine (T(4)) for 4 weeks, and 44 age-matched euthyroid healthy women. The platelet 5-HT concentration, platelet MAO-B activity, total T(4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were determined using spectrofluorimetric methods, radioimmunoassay and fluoroimmunoassay, respectively. ----- RESULTS: Hypothyroid patients had significantly higher TSH, significantly lower T(4) levels and platelet 5-HT concentrations, and unchanged platelet MAO-B activity than healthy subjects. A positive correlation was found between the 5-HT concentration and platelet MAO-B activity, and between the platelet MAO-B activity and T(4) in control subjects. ----- CONCLUSIONS: Reduced platelet 5-HT concentrations in hypothyroid patients suggests a complex interaction between the 5-HT system and HPT axis activity, which could be related to the frequent occurrence of depressive symptoms in hypothyroid patients. The determination of platelet 5-HT concentrations should be considered a diagnostic tool for the evaluation of depressive symptoms in hypothyroid patients during the hormone withdrawal procedure.

• Keywords (english): Adult; Aged; Blood Platelets/metabolism; Female; Humans; Hypothyroidism/blood; Hypothyroidism/enzymology; Middle Aged; Monoamine Oxidase/blood; Serotonin/blood; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome/blood; Thyrotropin/blood; Thyroxine/blood
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review
• Publication version: Accepted version
• Journal title: Hormone Research
• Numbering: vol. 71, no. 4, pp. 207-212
• p-ISSN: 0301-0163
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1159/000201109
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:598279
• Publication: 2009-03-04
• Document URL: https://doi.org/10.1159/000201109
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2024-03-28 11:13:44