Abstract
We examined in vitro effects of pharmacologically different antidepressants and mood stabilizers on both mitochondrial enzyme activities and cellular respiration. Results demonstrated increased activity of citrate synthase, significantly decreased activities of respiratory electron transport chain complexes I and IV.
Respiratory rate was inhibited by antidepressants and no affected by mood stabilizers. In blood platelets of patients in depressive episode, decreased activities of complex I and complex II of electron transport chain were observed, and decrease in capacity of cellular respiration was detected.
We can conclude that changes of mitochondrial function participate in the pathophysiology of depression and contribute effects of antidepressants.