Depressive symptoms in obesity: Relative contribution of low-grade inflammation and metabolic health (original) (raw)

Depressive Symptoms and Metabolic Syndrome: Is Inflammation the Underlying Link

Biological Psychiatry, 2008

Background-Behavioral alterations, including depression, are frequent in individuals with the metabolic syndrome (MetS). Recent findings suggest that chronic activation of innate immunity may be involved. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between MetS and depressive symptoms and to elucidate the involvement of inflammation in this relationship.

Is Chronic Inflammation a Possible Cause of Obesity-Related Depression?

Mediators of Inflammation, 2009

Adult obesity has been associated with depression, especially in women. Whether depression leads to obesity or obesity causes depression is unclear. Chronic inflammation is observed in obesity and depression. In 63 obese women without additional diseases depression level was assessed with the Beck's questionnaire. After evaluation of depression level study group was divided into groups according to the mood status (A-without depression, B-mild depression, and C-severe depression), and serum concentration of TNF-α, sTNFs, leptin, and IL-6 were measured by ELISA. No differences in age, body mass, BMI, and body composition were observed in study groups. We did not observe differences of serum concentrations of TNF-α, sTNFRs, leptin, and IL-6 between subgroup A and subgroups B and C. It seems that circulating adipokines did not exert influence on depression levels in obese women.

History of Major Depression is Associated with Neuropsychiatric Symptoms but not Systemic Inflammation in a Cross-Sectional Study in Obese Patients

Brain, behavior, and immunity, 2018

Obesity is a major public health burden associated with neuropsychiatric comorbidities leading to social and occupational impairment. Given the growing prevalence of both obesity and mental disorders worldwide, understanding the risk factors of obesity-related neuropsychiatric comorbidities is crucial to develop preventive strategies and individualized treatments. Recent findings suggest that adiposity-driven inflammation contributes to neuropsychiatric comorbidities in obesity. However, not all obese subjects afflicted with chronic inflammation develop neuropsychiatric symptoms, suggesting additional risk factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of personal history of major depressive disorder (MDD) on obesity-related inflammation and neuropsychiatric symptoms, and their relationship. A case-control study was conducted comparing 66 obese patients (body mass index > 35 kg/m) and 22 healthy non-obese participants, free of any current neuropsychiatric diseases i...

Pathways linking depression, adiposity, and inflammatory markers in healthy young adults

Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 2003

Despite mounting evidence that depression increases risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, little is known about the mechanisms responsible for this association. The current study examined the inter-relationships between depression, adiposity, and inflammatory molecules implicated in the pathogenesis of coronary heart disease. One hundred adults were enrolled. Half were clinically depressed; the others were matched controls with no history of psychiatric illness. All subjects were in excellent health, defined as having no acute infectious disease, chronic medical illness, or prescribed medication regimen. Structural equation modeling yielded support for a model in which depressive symptoms promote weight accumulation, which in turn activates an inflammatory response through two distinct pathways: expanded adipose tissue release of interleukin-6 and leptin-induced upregulation of interleukin-6 release by white blood cells (CFI ¼ .99; NNFI ¼ .99; RMSEA ¼ .05). It did not support a sickness behavior model in which the inflammatory molecules arising from expanded adipose tissue promote depressive symptoms.

Metabolic Syndrome and Elevated C-Reactive Protein Levels in Elderly Patients With Newly Diagnosed Depression

Psychosomatics, 2014

Background: Depression and metabolic syndrome (MeS) are prevalent in elderly people and are associated with adverse outcomes, especially cardiovascular disease. Increased C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are a risk factor for depression and chronic medical disorders, such as cardiovascular disease and MeS. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of MeS and CRP levels in elderly (4 60 y) patients with newly-diagnosed major depressive disorder. Methods: We enrolled 30 subjects with newly diagnosed depression and 30 age-and sex-matched controls who presented for a health examination at Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. Sociodemographic, MeS components, and CRP were measured before starting treatment with antidepressants. Results: There were no significant differences in sociodemographic characteristics or lifestyle factors between depressive and healthy control patients. The newly-diagnosed depression group showed a significantly increased risk of MeS (odds ratio ¼ 4.75, 95% CI: 1.58-14.25) compared with the control group. Of the 5 MeS components examined, only waist circumference was significantly different between the 2 groups (odds ratio ¼ 4.33, 95% CI: 1.20-15.61). Elevated CRP levels were significantly associated with an increased risk for depression (odds ratio ¼ 4.57, 95% 1.45-14.39). Conclusions: The risks of MeS and elevated CRP levels are higher in elderly patients with depression than in normal subjects. Physicians need to be alert to these cardiovascular risk factors when diagnosing and prescribing antidepressants for depression in the elderly. Clinical investigators are encouraged to assess markers of inflammation and review detailed information on risk factors such as waist circumference for MeS in patients with depression. (Psychosomatics 2014; ]:]]]-]]])

Depressive symptoms in older people with metabolic syndrome: is there a relationship with inflammation?

International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 2013

Objective: To investigate if there is a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms in older people with metabolic syndrome (MetS) compared with those without and whether dedpressive symptoms are independently associated to MetS and its single components and to the inflammatory markers. Methods: Physical parameters, standard blood analytes, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were assessed. Fifteen-item Geriatric Depression Scale and mini mental state examination (MMSE) were administered. Results: One hundred thirty-three subjects were enrolled. MetS patients (57) exhibited higher prevalence of depressive symptoms (p < 0.0001), worse cognitive function (p < 0.0001), and higher levels of ESR and hsCRP were higher (p < 0.0001). The univariate analysis showed a linear strong correlation of depressive symptoms (p < 0.0001) with the MMSE score (r = À0.422), body mass index (r = 0.414), MetS (r = 0.582), number of MetS components (r = 0.663), fasting blood glucose (r = 0.565), ESR (r = 0.565), hsCRP (r = 0.745), central obesity (r = 0.269; p = 0.002), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = À0.241; p = 0.005). However, the multivariate analysis showed that only age (B = À0.093; p = 0.032), MetS (B = 1.446; p = 0.025), fasting blood glucose (B = 0.039; p = 0.005), and hsCRP (B = 7.649; p < 0.0001) were independently associated with depressive symptoms. Conclusions: MetS and inflammation are independently associated with depressive symptoms in older people. Inflammation may explain cognitive decline too. Further investigations are needed to better understand the direction of these associations and to determine whether these can be reversible.