Introduction
Studies have already pointed out the contribution of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD). The aim of the present study was to investigate the oxidative-antioxidative systems in MDD and in response to cognitive psychotherapies. Oxidative stress were analyzed in 49 MDD patients at baseline, post-treatment, and follow-up; and 49 control subjects without history of psychiatric disorders.
Results
MDD subjects presented an increase in oxidative damage related to control subjects for thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS), nitric oxide, and a decrease in total thiol content. Cognitive psychotherapies were able to counteract peripheral oxidative stress in MDD patients, reducing TBARS levels (p < 0.001) in the follow-up, nitric oxide (p < 0.001) in the post-treatment and follow-up, and increasing the total thiol content (p < 0.01) in the post-treatment and follow-up.
Conclusion
Oxidative stress was associated with MDD and the regulation of these parameters might represent an important mechanism associated with the clinical improvement of cognitive psychotherapy.