A chromatin remodeling checkpoint of diet-induced macrophage activation in adipose tissue

Peripheral blood cytokines as potential diagnostic biomarkers of suicidal ideation in patients with first-episode drug-naïve major depressive disorder

Objective

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of disability, with a high risk of suicidal ideation (SI). Few studies have evaluated the potential of multiple cytokines as biomarkers for SI in patients with MDD. In the present study, we examined the serum levels of multiple cytokines in patients with first-episode drug-naïve MDD, with the aim to discover and identify serum cytokines-based biomarkers for identification of SI in MDD.

Methods

A total of 55 patients with first-episode drug-naïve MDD were enrolled and divided into two groups: 26 MDD patients without SI and 29 MDD patients with SI. Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation was used to estimate SI. A total of 37 cytokines were measured using Multiplex Luminex Assays. The levels of serum cytokines between MDD patients without SI and MDD patients with SI were compared and diagnostic values of different cytokines were evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve method for discriminating MDD patients with SI from MDD patients without SI. The relationship between the group and the abnormal cytokines were investigated in multiple linear regression models, with adjustments for age, gender, BMI, smoking, and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-24 (HAMD-24) scores.

Results

The levels of CCL26 and VEGF in MDD patients with SI were significantly lower than those in MDD patients without SI (all P < 0.05). On the contrary, the levels of IL-17C, CXCL10, and TNF-β in MDD patients with SI were significantly higher than those in MDD patients without SI (all P < 0.05). Moreover, the results of multiple linear regression revealed that group was a significant independent predictor of serum IL-17C, CCL-26, VEGF, and TNF-β levels (all P < 0.05). In terms of CXC10, group was also likely to be a significant independent predictor (β = 0.257, P = 0.063). Furthermore, the AUC values of IL-17C and TNF-β were 0.728 and 0.732, respectively. Additionally, a combined panel of IL-17C and TNF-β achieved a high accuracy in discriminating MDD patients with SI from MDD patients without SI (AUC = 0.848, sensitivity = 75.9%, specificity = 72.7%).

Conclusions

These results suggested that circulating IL-17C and TNF-β may hold promise in the discovery of biomarkers for identification of SI in MDD.

Comparison of serum cytokines levels in normal-weight and overweight patients with first-episode drug-naïve major depressive disorder

OBJECTIVE

Abnormal levels of blood cytokines have been demonstrated to be associated with both excess weight and major depressive disorder (MDD). However, few studies have addressed the direct effect of body mass index (BMI) on basal serum cytokines in individuals with first-episode drug-naïve MDD.

METHODS

A total of 49 patients with first-episode drug-naïve MDD were categorized into normal weight (18.5 ≤ BMI < 25 kg/m²) and overweight (25 ≤ BMI < 30 kg/m²) groups according to WHO-criteria. The severity of depressive symptoms was assessed using the 24-items Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-24). A total of 37 cytokines were measured using Multiplex Luminex Assays. The scores of HAMD-24 and the levels of serum cytokines between normal weight group and overweight group were compared. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between abnormal serum cytokines levels and group after adjusting for HAMD-24 scores. The correlation between BMI and the scores of HAMD-24 and the levels of serum cytokines was evaluated using Pearson correlation analysis.

RESULTS

The scores of HAMD-24 in overweight group were significantly higher than normal weight group (t = -2.930, P = 0.005). Moreover, the levels of IL-1α, IL-1RA, IL-3, CXCL10, TNF-α, and ICAM-1 in overweight patients with MDD were significantly higher than those in normal-weight patients with MDD (all P < 0.05). Furthermore, after adjustment for HAMD-24 scores, there was a significant correlation between abnormal serum cytokines levels (IL-1α, IL-1RA, IL-3, CXCL10, TNF-α, and ICAM-1) and group (all P < 0.05). Additionally, BMI was positively correlated to the serum levels of IL-1α (r = 0.428, P = 0.002), IL-3 (r = 0.529, P < 0.001), IL-6 (r = 0.285, P = 0.050), IL-10 (r = 0.423, P = 0.003), IL-12 (r = 0.367, P = 0.010), IL-15 (r = 0.300, P = 0.036), CXCL10 (r = 0.316, P = 0.030), TNF-α (r = 0.338, P = 0.021), and ICAM-1 (r = 0.440, P = 0.002) in MDD patients.

CONCLUSIONS

These results provide direct evidence, probably for the first time, that overweight may be associated with several serum cytokines in patients with first-episode drug-naïve MDD. The underlying mechanisms are unclear and require further investigation.