Depressive symptoms and adipokines in women: Study of women’s health across the nation

Abstract

Small clinical studies suggest depression is associated with alterations in adiponectin and leptin, adipocyte-derived secretory proteins involved in metabolic regulation; however, longitudinal data on these association are lacking. This study examined cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of depressive symptoms and major depressive disorder (MDD) with adiponectin and leptin in healthy middle-aged women (mean (SD) age, 45.6 (2.5) years). Cross-sectional analyses included 575 women with baseline adipokine data; longitudinal analyses included 262 women with 2-4 adipokine measurements over 5 years. The 20-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CES-D) was used to assess depressive symptoms; history of MDD was determined by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. Adipokines were assayed from stored serum specimens; values were log-transformed for analyses. Linear and repeated measure random effects regression models evaluated associations of baseline CES-D scores with baseline adipokine concentrations and changes over time, respectively. Secondary analyses evaluated the relation of MDD history with adipokine concentrations. Mean (SD) baseline concentrations of adiponectin and leptin were 9.90 (4.92) μg/mL and 27.02 (20.06) ng/mL; both increased over time (p < .0001). CES-D scores were associated with lower adiponectin at baseline (per 1-SD: estimate=-0.04, SE=.02, p=.03) and over time (per 1-SD: estimate=-0.055, SE = .024, p=.02). Associations were unchanged in risk factor-adjusted models. Women with elevated CES-D scores (≥16) had 6.9% (95% CI: -1.1%, 14.3%; p = .089) lower median adiponectin at baseline and 11.5% (95% CI: 1.5%, 20.4%, p = .025) lower median adiponectin over time in adjusted models, compared to women with CES-D<16. Rate of change in adipokines did not vary by baseline depressive symptoms or MDD history. Depressive symptoms and MDD history were unrelated to leptin. In women at midlife, depressive symptoms are associated with lower adiponectin, a critical anti-inflammatory biomarker involved in metabolic and cardiovascular conditions.

Increasing Adiponergic System Activity as a Potential Treatment for Depressive Disorders

“…An association among peripheral adiponectin levels and MDD has been suggested in different populations and health conditions (Table 1). A study consisting of cross-sectional ( n = 575) and longitudinal ( n = 262) analyses has shown that current episode of MDD, symptom severity, and history of depression in middle-aged women were all linked to the low adiponectin levels over a 5-year follow-up [39]. In depressed women, the adiponectin levels were sharply reduced by 25% and remained low over a 24-h period when measured hourly [40].…”

Is serum complement C1q related to major depressive disorder?

“…[ 9 ] Everson-Rose et al . [ 10 ] reported an association between depressive symptoms and low adiponectin in middle-aged women with MDD, as the combination of adiponectin and C1q activated the classic complement system. [ 11 ] Therefore, C1q plays a role in complement activation, removal of immune complexes and necrotic cells, stimulation of cytokine production, regulation of lymphocyte function,[ 12 ] and emotional regulation.…”

Relationships between depression and anxiety symptoms and adipocyte-derived proteins in postmenopausal women

“…Adam and colleagues reported that low mood may be significantly related to adiponectin and BMI in premenopausal women but not in postmenopausal women [ 56 ]. Everson–Rose and colleagues reported that the severity of depressive symptoms is significantly associated with lower levels of adiponectin among healthy middle-aged women in both cross-sectional and 5-year follow-up longitudinal analyses [ 57 ]. Although in this analyses, these factors age, adiposity, hormonal and behavioral risk factors (e.g., diet, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and physical exercise), all of which are potentially important confounders have been taken into consideration, the levels of the adiponectin and leptin were highly changed and varied by menopause stages in women at midlife with/without obesity [ 58 ].…”