Lysophosphatidic acid and lysophosphatidylcholine levels in serum samples of patients with major depressive disorder

Abstract

ABSTRACTMajor depressive disorder (MDD) is a heterogeneous condition featured with a continuous low mood, feeling of sadness, lack of interest to perform daily activities. Many factors including genetic, physiological, biological, social, and environmental are thought to be connected with the pathophysiology of depression. Several previous studies failed to identify the favorable biomarkers for MDD. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC)showed important roles in the regulation of emotion among experimental animals. The current study aimed to measure the serum levels of LPA and LPC in MDD patients and healthy controls (HCs) to explore their roles and relationship with depression. This case-control study enrolled 53 MDD patients and 50 healthy controls (HCs). The patients were recruited from the department of psychiatry, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University whereas the controls was from different locations of Dhaka city. Both the cases and controls were strictly matched by gender, age, and body mass index. A qualified psychiatrist diagnosed patients and evaluated controls based on the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 5th edition. The severity of depression in MDD patients was measured by using the Hamilton depression rating scale (Ham-D). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits were used to measure serum levels LPA and LPC. We found no alterations of these parameters in serum levels of MDD patients compared to HCs. A significant positive correlation was found between serum LPA and LPC levels in MDD patients. Moreover, the present study showed no significant associations between target markers and either diagnosis of depression or Ham-D scores, or management of depression. The present study suggests that LPA and LPC levels probably would not serve as potential biomarkers of MDD. Thus, further studies with large and more homogeneous populations are recommended to explore the exact relationship between targeted serum lipids and major depression.