Antidepressants differentially related to 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D3 and 25-(OH) vitamin D3 in late-life depression.

A low plasma 25-OH vitamin D3 level is a universal risk factor for a wide range of diseases and has also been implicated in late-life depression. It is currently unknown whether the biologically active form of vitamin D, that is, 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D3, is also decreased in late-life depression, or whether vitamin D levels correlate with specific depression characteristics. We determined plasma 25-OH vitamin D3, 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D3 and parathormone levels in 355 depressed older persons and 124 non-depressed comparison subjects (age 60 years). Psychopathology was established with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview 2.1, together with potential confounders and depression characteristics (severity, symptom profile, age of onset, recurrence, chronicity and antidepressant drug use). Adjusted for confounders, depressed patients had significantly lower levels of 25-OH vitamin D33 (Cohen's d =0.28 (95% confidence interval: 0.07-0.49), P=0.033) as well as 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D3 (Cohen's d =0.48 (95% confidence interval: 0.27-0.70), P<0.001) than comparison subjects. Of all depression characteristics tested, only the use of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) was significantly correlated with lower 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D3 levels (Cohen's d =0.86 (95% confidence interval: 0.53-1.19), P<0.001), but not its often measured precursor 25-OH vitamin D3. As vitamin D levels were significantly lower after adjustment for confounders, vitamin D might have an aetiological role in late-life depression. Differences between depressed and non-depressed subjects were largest for the biologically active form of vitamin D. The differential impact of TCAs on 25-OH vitamin D3 and 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D3 levels suggests modulation of 1-α-hydroxylase and/or 24-hydroxylase, which may in turn have clinical implications for biological ageing mechanisms in late-life depression.

Interaction of monovalent cations with Rb+ and Na+ uptake in yeast.

The concentration dependence of both Rb+ uptake and Na+ uptake by yeast can be described by a quadratic rate equation. This equation is derived for translocation of cations via a two-site translocation system. In accordance with predictions made for such a two-site translocation system the shape of the uptake isotherm depends both upon the substrate cation species and upon the concentration of other added competing cations. On plotting the rate of Rb+ uptake against the quotient of that rate and the Rb+ concentration concave, convex and also linear curves are found depending upon the type and the concentration of added monovalent cations. The Na+ uptake isotherm plotted in a similar way shows a shift from a concave curve to a straight line on adding increasing amounts of Rb+ to the yeast suspension. Decreasing the pH of the medium leads to a more pronounced convex uptake isotherm for Rb+ uptake. This can be ascribed to an indirect effect of the surface potential upon Rb+ uptake and to occupation of the binding sites by protons, which are replaced again by Rb+ at increasing Rb+ concentrations. Replacement of one sodium ion from one of the two sites of the monovalent cation transport system by either K+ OR Rb+ leads to an increase in the rate of Na+ translocation across the yeast cell membrane.