VITAMIN D AND DEPRESSION

Abstract Background Depression is one of the mood disorders that is often found today. The cause of depression has not yet been determined, but it is believed that genetic, biological and psychosocial factors play an important role. One of them that was found was vitamin D deficiency.1 However, the effect of administering vitamin D in depressed patients has not been determined. Several studies have not found a link between giving vitamin D and improving patients depressive symptoms. Some studies show a positive relationship, but several other studies show a negative or even inconsistent relationship.2 Aims and Objective This is the basis on which this research was conducted, to determine blood serotonin levels in mice treated with vitamin D. Method By using mice induced depression by immobilization, giving Fluoxetine as a standard drug used to treat depression and vitamin D as a comparison, serotonin levels in the mice's blood will be seen. Four groups were divided by the given treatment. No intervention in the first group, while the second group was given Fluoxetine, the third group was given vitamin D, and the last group was given Fluoxetine and vitamin D. Results The average serotonin levels in the four groups respectively are 0.031557 pg/ml, 0.031560 pg/ml, 0.031529 pg/ml, and 0.031614 pg/ml. Based on statistical analysis, there were no significant differences between the four groups. Discussion and Conclusion In this study, administration of vitamin D and Fluoxetine showed the highest serotonin levels. Fluoxetine is an antidepressant that is often used for depression. Vitamin D metabolites can penetrate the brain barrier and are believed to have an effect as neuroprotector. This may lead the suggests that it also has an effect on depressive symptoms.3A number of studies have found that single administration of vitamin D has an effect on depressive symptoms, while other studies have shown no effect. In this study, serotonin levels in the third group were the lowest which means it shows no effect on depression. 3It can be concluded that giving vitamin D does not have a significant effect on depressive symptoms. References Rebecca E S Anglin, Zainab Samaan, Stephen D Walter, Sarah D McDonald. 2018. Vitamin D deficiency and depression in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Psychiatry. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23377209/. Guowei Li, Lawrence Mbuagbaw, Zainab Samaan et al. 2013. Efficacy of Vitamin D supplementation in depression in adults: a systematic review protocol. Biomed Central. http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Vikas Menon,Sujita Kumar Kar, Navratan Suthar, and Naresh Nebhinani. 2020. Vitamin D and Depression: A Critical Appraisal of the Evidence and Future Directions. Indian J Psychol Med. 42(1): 11–21. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6970300/