Integrated Multi-Omics Analysis of Gut Microbiome and Serum Metabolome in Unipolar and Bipolar Depression

Abstract

This study aims to differentiate between unipolar and bipolar depressive episodes through an integrated analysis of gut microbiome and serum metabolome. The study involved 82 patients experiencing depressive episodes, with 38 diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and 44 with Bipolar Disorder (BD). The gut microbiome and serum metabolome were analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS), respectively. The results revealed distinct microbial compositions and metabolic pathways between the two groups. Seventeen microbial groups and fifty serum metabolites were found to be significantly different between the two groups. Four genera and eight serum metabolites demonstrated strong diagnostic potential for differentiating BD from MDD. The study also found correlations between certain differential genera and metabolites and the severity of clinical symptoms. This integrated multi-omics approach provides a promising direction for the differential diagnosis of unipolar and bipolar depression.