Serum lipids and depression

Association between apolipoprotein E genotypes and panic disorder in Turkish population

AIM

In this study, we aimed to investigate possible interactions among the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) and panic disorder (PD), taking into account serum cholesterol levels and subfractions.

METHODS

ApoE genotyping was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction in DNA samples of PD patient group (n = 45) and healthy control group (n = 50). The serum lipid levels, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) subfraction analysis were examined.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference of ApoE genotypes in patient and control groups. The E3/E3 genotypes lower whereas E4 allele carriers were significantly higher in PD group ApoE4allele carriers had 3.2-fold higher risk of PD. PD group had significantly lower LDL and HDL levels. In spite of the decreased levels of total LDL, antiatherogenic large LDL subgroup was significantly lower in a patient with PD. Antiatherogenic large HDL and Intermediate HDL levels were lower, while atherogenic small HDL subfraction was significantly higher in PD group. Furthermore, Apo E3/E3 genotype carriers had significantly higher large LDL, HDL, large HDL, intermediate HDL level, and also had highest HDL between all the groups. ApoE4 allele carriers while they had highest atherogenic small HDL level.

CONCLUSION

E4 allele can be associated with PD as an eligible risk factor, the E3/E3 could be a risk-reducing factor for PD. Patients with PD not only had lower LDL and HDL levels but also they have higher atherogenic LDL and HDL subfractions. Also, E3/E3 genotype carriers had convenient but ApoE4 carriers had atherogenic plasma cholesterol levels and subfractions.

Depression and altered serum lipids in cynomolgus monkeys consuming a Western diet

Research over the past 15 years has suggested a high comorbidity of depression and coronary heart disease (CHD). However the mechanisms responsible for this relationship are poorly understood. This study was designed to examine the relationships between depressive behaviors and concentrations of circulating lipids and lipid signaling molecules that may be common to both CHD and depression in a cohort of cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) consuming a 'Western' diet, enriched with saturated fat and cholesterol. Socially-housed adult female cynomolgus monkeys (n=36) were fed the Western diet for 27 months and depressive behavior was recorded weekly. Body weight, body mass index and circulating cholesterol profiles were measured in all animals, and fatty acids (FA) and FA-based signaling molecules were measured in the 6 least and 6 most depressed monkeys. Monkeys consuming the Western diet exhibited a broad range of percent time spent in depressive behavior. The percent time spent depressed was positively correlated with total plasma and LDL cholesterol and negatively correlated with HDL cholesterol. Despite being leaner, depressed monkeys had higher concentrations of monounsaturated fats (C16:1 and C17:1), a higher ω6/ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratio and higher concentrations of omega-6 (ω6) PUFAs, particularly C18:2ω6 and C20:3ω6. FA ratios suggest that stearoyl CoA desaturase 1 activity was increased in depressed monkeys. Depressed female cynomolgus monkeys had elevated concentrations of serum lipids and lipid signaling molecules that are typically associated with obesity, insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease, which may account in part for the comorbidity of depression and CHD.

Low cholesterol concentrations and severe depressive symptoms in elderly people

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the reported association between low serum cholesterol concentration and severe depressive symptoms in an elderly population.

DESIGN

Cross sectional analysis of pooled data from three communities of the established populations for epidemiologic studies of the elderly. Participants who completed their interview, including the Centers for Epidemiologic Studies' depression scale and consented to measurement of their cholesterol concentration were included in the study.

SUBJECTS

3939 men and women aged > or = 71.

METHODS

chi 2 analysis, t tests, and multivariate regression analysis of the association between low cholesterol concentration and severe depressive symptoms. All analyses were stratified by sex, and multivariate analyses were adjusted for age, self reported health, physical function, number of drugs used, and weight loss.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Score of depressive symptoms on the Centers for Epidemiologic Studies' depression scale.

RESULTS

Depressive symptoms, cholesterol concentration, weight, and use of drugs were all associated with age in men and women. The relative odds of severe depressive symptoms (score > or = 16) for those with low cholesterol concentrations (< 4.14 mmol/l) were 1.9 (95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 3.3) for the older group of men and 1.8 (1.1 to 2.9) for the older group of women. This association was also observed when depressive symptoms were analysed as a continuous rather than a categorical variable. In multivariate models that adjusted for age, self reported health, physical function, number of drugs used, and weight loss, the association was substantially weakened.

CONCLUSIONS

After several factors relating to health had been controlled for, no significant association between low cholesterol concentration and severe depressive symptoms was found.