Serum. Levels of Dihydroneopterin and Soluble Cytokine Receptors in Major Depression

The serum levels of dihydroneopterin (NH2), soluble interleukin -6 receptor (sIL-6R), soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor (sTNF-R) type I and type II were measured in 18 patients with major depression before and after drug treatment and in age- and gender-matched healthy controls. The NH2 and sTNF-R type II levels were significantly higher both in untreated and treated patients when compared to the controls. The sTNF-R type I levels were significantly lower in untreated depressed patients than the controls and significantly increased after drug treatment when compared to those prior to treatment.