Does disturbed homocysteine and folate metabolism in depression result from enhanced oxidative stress?

Activated human monocytes/macrophages also release increased amounts of neopterin-another pteridine derivative-which is a sensitive index for the mediation of cell mediated immune reactions in patients. 4 Recent data also point to a new functional aspect of neopterin-namely, to enhance oxidative processes. 4 Increased concentrations of neopterin have been described in patients with depression. 3 Therefore the question arises whether oxidative stress rather than insufficient dietary intake of folate is the basis of 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolate and also 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency.