Increased levels of acetylcholinesterase, paraoxonase 1 and copper in patients with moderate depression-A preliminary study

Depression is a common and widespread mood disorder, which affects the emotional level that varies widely in its intensity. In the present study, we examined acetylcholinesterase (AChE), paraoxonase 1 (PON1) and copper levels in moderate depression patients and healthy participants and tried to ascertain whether the estimation of red blood cells (RBCs) acetylcholinesterase, plasma PON1 and copper could be used for evaluation of moderate depression. After obtaining ethics committee approval (66/2015), patients who met ICD 10 diagnostic criteria were included. Goldberg's general health questionnaire 28 (GHQ-28) was used to select controls. 4 ml of blood was collected from 44 participants (cases = 24, control = 20) aged between of 35-70 years (median: 48.5 years) and used for estimation of RBC acetylcholinesterase, plasma PON1 and copper levels. There was a significant (p < 0.001) increase in RBC acetylcholinesterase, plasma PON1 and plasma copper levels in patients with moderate depression when compared to controls. Further, a receiver operating characteristic curve for validity of the biochemical parameters in plasma of patients with moderate depression indicated a sensitivity and specificity above 85% for copper and PON 1. Our study indicated that RBC acetylcholinesterase, plasma PON1 and copper levels might have a role in the pathogenesis of depressive disorders.