Serum contents of the free forms of alpha(1)-microglobulin and ulinastatin: Relation to diseased states in patients with mood disorders

We have found previously that the relationship between the urinary contents of al-microglobulin (alpha M-1) and ulinastatin (UT) in patients with mood disorder differs from that of age-matched healthy subjects, However, it ha s yet to be determined whether or not the difference in the relation correl ates with the contents of the free forms of alpha M-1 and UT in serum and w hether changes in the existing forms of alpha M-1 and UT in serum reflect t he actual disease states, The relation between serum contents of the free f orms of alpha M-1 and UT in 10 patients with mood disorders was different f rom that of 17 age-matched healthy subjects, The regression plot between sc ores of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and ratios of the free for m content to total content (F/T ratio) of UT was more informative on the de pressive state than that of alpha M-1. The F/T ratios of UT may afford a us eful objective index in monitoring the diseased state of a patient with moo d disorder, Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.