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L-Carnosine Combination Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial Publisher Pubmed



Araminia B1 ; Shalbafan M1 ; Mortezaei A2 ; Shirazi E3 ; Ghaffari S4 ; Sahebolzamani E2 ; Mortazavi SH2 ; Shariati B3 ; Ardebili ME3 ; Aqamolaei A2 ; Naderi S2 ; Akhondzadeh S2
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Mental Health Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Psychiatric Research Center, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, South Kargar Street, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Mental Health Research Center, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Tehran Institute of Psychiatry, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. School of Persian Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Research Institute for Islamic and Complementary Medicine, Tehran, Iran

Source: Journal of Affective Disorders Published:2020


Abstract

Background: Evidence for antidepressant effects of L-Carnosine was shown in some experimental studies. In this study we tried to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of L-Carnosine combination therapy in treatment of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods: Fifty-eight patients with MDD (DSM-V) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) score ≥ 19 were randomized to receive either 400 mg twice daily L-Carnosine or placebo in addition to citalopram (maximum dosage of 40 mg/day) for six weeks in a randomized double-blind, and placebo-controlled study. Patients were assessed using the HAM-D scale at baseline and weeks 2, 4, and 6. Results: Fifty-two patients completed the trial. General linear model repeated measure showed significant difference for time × treatment on HAM-D score [F = 3.17, df = 2.39, p-value = 0.03]. Significantly greater improvement was detected in HAM-D score of the L-Carnosine group compared with the placebo group from baseline to weeks 2, 4 and 6 [Ps = 0.013, 0.028 and 0.023; respectively]. Patients in the L-Carnosine group experienced significantly greater response and remission rate than the placebo group [Ps = 0.023 and 0.012; respectively]. There was no significant difference between the two groups in baseline parameters and frequency of side effects. Limitations: Short follow-up period and small population size were two important limitations of this study. Conclusions: L-Carnosine combination therapy with citalopram can effectively improve symptoms of patients with major depressive disorder. Rapid-onset antidepressant effects of L-Carnosine were also shown which need further investigation. © 2020 Elsevier B.V.
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