In this large cross-sectional study, men in the depressed group had significantly higher levels of gamma-glutamyl transferase, glucose, and triglycerides. Depressed men had lower albumin and total bilirubin levels than control men. As compared to the control group, women with depression had higher levels of Alkaline phosphatase, Bicarbonate, and Sodium. For Gamma-glutamyl transferase, Glucose, Triglycerides, Albumin, and Total Bilirubin in men, the area under the curve was around 55%. The area under the curve for Alkaline Phosphatase in women was 55.7597%, while Sodium and Bicarbonate were around 50%.
There has been a conflicting relationship between biochemical indicators and depression found in many studies to date. To provide some strong support, some large cross-sectional studies are lacking.
In the liver, kidney, and pancreas, GGT is primarily observed. Currently, GGT is the most sensitive enzyme indicator for liver diseases and is used to diagnose and monitor hepatobiliary diseases. Huang et al reported that GGT was higher in NAFLD patients with depression than in patients without depression[12]. A positive association was also found between GGT levels and depression in men.
Kahn reported that fasting blood glucose levels were higher in depressed patients and these levels were significantly associated with depression scores[13]. Our findings are consistent with this. Loss of appetite is a common feature of depression, which can adversely affect blood glucose levels. In depressed patients, this difference may be caused by defects in glucose metabolism in brain regions such as the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus. [14, 15].
We found that hypercholesterolemia was associated with depressive symptoms, and hypercholesterolemic subjects had higher levels of depression than normal subjects. [16]. Triglyceride levels were significantly higher in the depressed group of men. In addition to lowering cholesterol and increasing triglycerides, interleukin-2 inhibits melatonin release, which reduces brain serotonin, resulting in depression and suicidal tendencies [17].
According to Pascoe MC, a low serum albumin level after stroke was associated with long-term depression symptoms in elderly Swedish patients [18]. We also found that serum albumin was negatively associated with depression.
Peng YF found correlations between UN, FBG, HDL-C, SF, TP, Cr, TBil, and MDD in a Chinese Han population[8]. Bilirubin is an endogenous antioxidant, and low blood bilirubin levels are associated with seasonal depression, according to Shcherbinina MB[19]. Our results are further confirmed by this.
Recently, sodium was shown to modulate oxidative stress and inflammation, alter the autonomic nervous system, and cause innate and adaptive immune dysfunction. [20]. Many studies have shown that high sodium and chloride are directly associated with depression [21]. Women in the depressed group in our study tended to have higher levels of Sodium, which is more consistent with previous studies.
A measure of bone production, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, was shown by Cizza G to be significantly greater in women with MDD than in controls. [22]. Tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP), a globally expressed enzyme, is known for its activity in bone mineralization. Vitamin B6 molecules are calcified and transportable when this enzyme metabolizes phosphate compounds. Hypophosphatemia (HPP) is an uncommon metabolic disorder caused by hereditary loss-of-function mutations in the ALPL gene. In addition to decreased mineralization of bones and teeth, this systemic illness is also associated with anxiety disorders, seizures, and depression [23].
The study has some limitations. First, although though this study had a high sample size, the study group was only composed of Americans, and our findings might not be applicable to other nations due to variations in socio-demographic traits. Our findings also do not suggest a cause-and-effect link because this study was cross-sectional in nature. Finally, health status at the time of blood collection may affect biomarker results, and therefore the effect of certain disease information not obtained during the survey on biomarkers cannot be excluded. Despite these limitations of our results, the statistical results and findings in this study are robust due to the large-scale data.