Pharmacodynamics of serotonergic antidepressants differently influencing on serotonin reuptake receptors is poorly investigated.

To compare biochemical profiles at patients with anxious depression under treatment with tianeptine–serotonin reuptake enhancer and sertraline–selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.

Platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) and serum amine oxidase (AO) activities, level of middle mass endotoxic molecules (MMEM) and serum albumin functional properties – effective albumin concentration (EAC) and reserve of albumin binding (RAB) were investigated at 43 patients with anxious depression (F 32.1 and F 33.1). Clinical severity of illness was assessed using Hamilton Depression (21 items) and Hamilton Anxiety Scales. All patients were divided in two groups: group I (21 person) received tianeptine (37, 5 mg/day), group II – sertraline (50 mg/day).

It was established that patients with anxious depression were characterized by significant increase in MAO activity (by 95%) and the level of MMEM (by 86%) and significant decrease in AO activity (by 28%) and EAC and RAB parameters by 43 and 38%, respectively, in comparison with healthy volunteers. Under tianeptine and sertraline treatment, there were revealed contrary directed changes of all investigated parameters.

Results of study show that both tianeptine and sertraline are equally effective in treatment of anxious depression. Present biochemical investigation, however, suggest that underlying biochemical changes are more complete following tianeptine treatment.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.