Feature of Heart Rate Variability and Metabolic Mechanism in Female College Students with Depression

Abstract

Purpose. To explore the effects of depression on cardiac autonomic nerve function and related metabolic pathways, the heart rate variability (HRV) and urinary differential metabolites were detected on the college students with depression. Methods. 12 female freshmen with depression were filtered by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS). By wearing an HRV monitoring system, time domain indexes and frequency domain indexes were measured over 24 hours. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was used to detect their urinary differential metabolites. Differential metabolites were identified by principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal projections to latent structures discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). The metabolic pathways related to these differential metabolites were analyzed by the MetPA database. Results. Stress time was significantly increased, and recovery time was markedly decreased in the depression group compared with the control group (p<0.001). Standard deviation of the normal-to-normal R interval (SDNN), root mean square of the beat-to-beat differences (RMSSD), high frequency (HF), and low frequency (LF) were decreased significantly (p<0.01). Moreover, 15 differential metabolites (4↑, 11↓) were identified in the depression group. These differential metabolites were involved in the disruption of five metabolic pathways (coenzyme Q biosynthesis, glycine-serine-threonine metabolism, tyrosine metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, and steroid metabolism). Conclusion. Some autonomic nervous system disruption, high stress, and poor fatigue recovery were confirmed in college students with depression. The metabolic mechanism involved the disruption of coenzyme Q biosynthesis, glycine-serine-threonine metabolism, tyrosine metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, and steroid metabolism under daily stress.

Association between Metabolic Syndrome Components and Cardiac Autonomic Modulation among Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…It has already been shown that young people with depression also show impairment of autonomic nervous system functions, high levels of stress, and have slow fatigue recovery. Researchers have proposed that there are numerous metabolic pathways disrupted in young people with depression, including coenzyme Q biosynthesis, steroid metabolism, tyrosine metabolism, glycine-serine-threonine metabolism and pyrimidine metabolism [ 41 ].…”

“…The physiological effects of Coenzyme Q include reducing free radical production in the myocardium and muscle, and improving physical performance in people with heart disease [ 41 , 42 ]. A study found that the relative level of 4-hydroxyphenyl lactic acid, the key metabolite in the pathway of coenzyme Q biosynthesis, was significantly decreased in the depression group, indicating that metabolic deficiencies may contribute to depression [ 41 ]. Corticosterone is a key substance in the steroid hormone biosynthesis pathway and has been associated with obesity and metabolic disorders [ 43 ].…”

“…Corticosterone is a key substance in the steroid hormone biosynthesis pathway and has been associated with obesity and metabolic disorders [ 43 ]. Previous studies have suggested that corticosterone levels are negatively related to depression severity [ 41 , 44 ]. Also, according to LC-MS studies, patients with depression exhibit differential plasma metabolites primarily associated with lipid metabolism, (such as LDL, unsaturated lipids, and cholesterol), amino acid metabolic pathways (such as alanine, taurine and glycine) and energy metabolic pathways (such as glucose, lactic acid and pyruvate) [ 41 ].…”

“…Previous studies have suggested that corticosterone levels are negatively related to depression severity [ 41 , 44 ]. Also, according to LC-MS studies, patients with depression exhibit differential plasma metabolites primarily associated with lipid metabolism, (such as LDL, unsaturated lipids, and cholesterol), amino acid metabolic pathways (such as alanine, taurine and glycine) and energy metabolic pathways (such as glucose, lactic acid and pyruvate) [ 41 ]. The di-hydro thymine biomarker is often used to assess the amount of thymine present in the body [ 45 ].…”

Treatment Effect of Exercise Intervention for Female College Students with Depression: Analysis of Electroencephalogram Microstates and Power Spectrum

“…The study of the pathogenesis of depression mainly involves neurobiological research. It is generally believed that the etiology of depression is related to neuroendocrine disorders, neurotransmitter concentration changes, autonomic dysfunction, and changes in the function of cognitive-related brain areas [6][7][8][9]. Therefore, it is very important to analyze the changes in the brain function of college students with depression to reveal its pathogenesis.…”