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 alpha(1)-microglobulin (alpha(1)M) and ulinastatin (UT) in patients with mood disorder differs from that of age-matched healthy subjects. However, it has yet to be determined whether or not the difference in the relation correlates with the contents of the free forms of alpha(1)M and UT in serum and whether changes in the existing forms of alpha(1)M and UT in serum reflect the actual disease states. The relation between serum contents of the free forms of alpha(1)M and UT in 10 patients with mood disorders was different from that of 17 age-matched healthy subjects. The regression plot between scores of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and ratios of the free form content to total content (F/T ratio) of UT was more informative on the depressive state than that of alpha(1)M. The F/T ratios of UT may afford a useful objective index in monitoring the diseased state of a patient with mood disorder. Copyright 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel