Association Between Self-rating Depression Scores and Total Ghrelin and Adipokine Serum Levels in a Large Population-Based Sample

Wittekind, Dirk Alexander; Kratzsch, Jürgen; Biemann, Ronald; Mergl, Roland; Riedel‐Heller, Steffi G.; Witte, Veronika; Villringer, Arno; Kluge, Michael

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.891325

Cited by 10 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…Concerning depressed mood, some studies in patients with MDD have reported correlations between ghrelin levels and depressive symptoms (Algul andOzcelik, 2018, Akter et al, 2014), while other studies found that ghrelin infusions are associated with an improved depressed mood (Kluge et al, 2011). Notwithstanding, other studies observed no association (Kluge et al, 2009, van Andel et al, 2022, Wittekind et al, 2022, adding to the mixed set of interim results. Crucially, most studies did not differentiate between the two isoforms of ghrelin, acyl, and des-acyl ghrelin, which may contribute to the variability in their findings.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ghrelin is associated with an elevated mood after an overnight fast in depression

Fahed,

Schulz,

Klaus

et al. 2023

Preprint

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BackgroundMajor depressive disorder (MDD) comprises subtypes with distinct symptom profiles. For example, patients with melancholic and atypical MDD differ in the direction of appetite and body weight changes as well as mood reactivity. Despite reported links to altered energy metabolism, the role of circulating neuropeptides from the gut in modulating such symptoms remains largely elusive.MethodsWe collected data from 103 participants, including 51 patients with MDD and 52 healthy control participants (HCP). After an overnight fast, we measured blood levels of (acyl and des-acyl) ghrelin and participants reported their current metabolic and mood states using visual analog scales (VAS). Furthermore, they completed symptom-related questionnaires (i.e., STAI-T).ResultsPatients with atypical versus melancholic MDD reported less negative affect (p= .025). Higher levels of acyl ghrelin (corrected for BMI) were associated with improved mood (p= .012), specifically in patients with MDD. These associations of ghrelin were not mood-item specific and exceeded correlations with trait markers of negative affectivity. In contrast to associations with mood state, higher levels of ghrelin were not associated with increased hunger per se or changes in appetite in patients with MDD.LimitationsThe study is limited by the cross-sectional design without an intervention.ConclusionsOur results reveal potentially mood-enhancing effects of ghrelin in fasting individuals that exceed associations with metabolic state ratings. These associations with circulating neuropeptides might help explain anti-depressive effects of fasting interventions and could complement conventional treatments in patients with melancholic MDD.Graphical abstract

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ghrelin is associated with an elevated mood after an overnight fast in depression

Fahed,

Schulz,

Klaus

et al. 2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…The exact mechanism is unclear, but it is hypothesized that both inherent sex differences, mediated by X-chromosomal effects and neuroanatomical differences (70) as well as protective effects of 17β-estrogen play a key role in this phenomenon (71). Interestingly, this effect is not only present in appetite regulation and energy homeostasis but has been observed in MDD and/or depressive symptomatology as well (72)(73)(74).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leptin, but not ghrelin, is associated with food addiction scores in a population-based subject sample

et al. 2023

Self Cite

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BackgroundGhrelin and leptin are both peptide hormones and act as opposing players in the regulation of hunger, satiety and energy expenditure. Leptin reduces appetite and feelings of hunger and is secreted mainly by adipocytes, while ghrelin increases appetite and food intake and reduces metabolic rate. Both hormones have been implicated in addictive disorders. Ghrelin was shown to have pro-addictive effects while leptin’s role in addiction yields more conflicting results. Their involvement in the regulation of both food intake and addictive behaviors make them interesting candidates when investigating the regulation of food addiction. However, only few human studies have been performed and large-scale studies are lacking to date. We aimed to investigate the association between total ghrelin and leptin serum levels with scores in the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS).MethodsSubjects were recruited in the LIFE Adult cohort. 909 subjects were included in the analysis and we performed univariate multiple linear regression models, adjusted for age, sex (in total group analyses only), alcohol consumption, smoking status, BMI scores, cortisol concentrations, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) sum scores. The dependent variable was the YFAS score.ResultsIn men, leptin serum levels showed a significant positive association (standardized β = 0.146; p = 0.012) with the YFAS score. This finding was confirmed in an extreme-group comparison: men in the highest quartile of leptin levels had significantly higher YFAS sum scores than men in the lowest quartile (1.55 vs. 1.18; p = 0.00014). There was no association with YFAS sum score in the total group (standardized β = −0.002; p = 0.974) or in women (standardized β = −0.034; p = 0.674). Total serum ghrelin showed no association with YFAS sum score neither in the total group (standardized β = −0.043; p = 0.196) nor in men (n = 530; standardized β = −0.063; p = 0.135) or women (n = 379; standardized β = −0.035; p = 0.494).ConclusionOur findings are in line with previous literature and suggest that total ghrelin serum levels are not associated with food addiction scores. Leptin had been previously shown to be associated with food addiction and we confirmed this finding for men in a large, population-based approach.

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“…They did not observe any significant difference in regard to ghrelin concentration between depressed and non-depressed subjects. Also, there was no association between CES-D scores and total ghrelin levels ( 51 ). It should be noted that the diagnosis of depression was not confirmed by a psychiatrist nor any standardized clinical interview.…”

Section: Relationship Between Ghrelin Concentration and Major Depress...mentioning

confidence: 99%

A link between ghrelin and major depressive disorder: a mini review

Lis,

Miłuch,

Majdowski

et al. 2024

Front. Psychiatry

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Ghrelin is primarily responsible for regulating energy balance, as it increases appetite. However, in recent years, its new physiological functions have been discovered—it regulates lipogenesis, plays a role in the development of insulin resistance, and even acts protectively on heart muscle. Moreover, ghrelin was associated with many psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD) or schizophrenia. Ghrelin levels were elevated in patients diagnosed with depression and in patients after suicide attempts. Moreover, ghrelin was connected to depression among postmenopausal women and was shown to be a predictive marker of MDD among the elderly. Ghrelin may influence mood disorders in various ways: by regulating stress response or inflammation or altering neurotransmission in the amygdala, dorsal raphe nucleus, or hippocampus, brain regions previously connected to the pathophysiology of MDD. Genetic variants of ghrelin and its receptor have also been associated with depression. Moreover, ghrelin can interfere with the antidepressant’s action and may play a role in treatment resistance. This review highlights ghrelin’s role in depression, summarizes the existing knowledge on the subject, and presents ideas for further research.

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Association Between Self-rating Depression Scores and Total Ghrelin and Adipokine Serum Levels in a Large Population-Based Sample

Cited by 10 publications

References 82 publications

Ghrelin is associated with an elevated mood after an overnight fast in depression

Ghrelin is associated with an elevated mood after an overnight fast in depression

Leptin, but not ghrelin, is associated with food addiction scores in a population-based subject sample

A link between ghrelin and major depressive disorder: a mini review

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