Zinc Signaling in the Hippocampus and Its Relation to Pathogenesis of Depression

Zinc is released from glutamatergic (zincergic) neuron terminals in the brain, followed by the increase in Zn²⁺ concentration in the intracellular (cytosol) compartment as well as that in the extracellular compartment. Intracellular Zn²⁺ concentration mainly increases through calcium-permeable channels and serves as Zn²⁺ signal as well as extracellular Zn²⁺ concentration. Hippocampal Zn²⁺ signaling may participate in synaptic plasticity such as long-term potentiation and cognitive function. On the other hand, subclinical zinc deficiency is common in the old who might be more susceptible to depression. Zinc deficiency causes abnormal glucocorticoid secretion and increases depression-like behavior in animals. Neuropsychological symptoms are observed prior to the decrease in Zn²⁺ signal in the hippocampus under zinc deficiency. This paper summarizes that hippocampal Zn²⁺ signaling serves to maintain healthy brain and that glucocorticoid signaling, which is responsive to zinc homeostasis in the living body, is linked to the pathophysiology of depression.     

Correlation Between Dietary Zinc Intakes and Its Serum Levels with Depression Scales in Young Female Students

It has been suggested that mood disorders and depressive status may be accompanied by lowered zinc status in the body, and adequate consumption of zinc increases a general perceived well-being. The main objective of this study was to assess the correlation between serum zinc concentrations and dietary zinc intakes with depression scores in university female students. In the first phase, Beck's depression questionnaire was applied in a random sampling of 308 selected 20–25-year-old female students (one third of total students in Ahvaz Jondi-Shapour University of Medical Sciences Golestan dormitories) to assess the major depressive disorder (MDD) scales. Then, in the second phase, 23 students who identified as having moderate and severe depression were selected as the case group, and 23 healthy age matched were chosen as the controls. Each of them completed a 12-item semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire containing the main food sources of zinc in the usual dietary patterns and also a 24-h food recall questionnaire to assure the daily zinc intakes. Daily zinc intakes were obtained by multiplying each portion size by its zinc content using food tables. A 5-ml blood sample was taken for further serum zinc status using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry technique. Pearson's r was used to show the correlation between quantitative variables. Both daily zinc intake and serum zinc concentrations of MDD group were about two thirds of healthy index (p < 0.01). Depressed individuals used to eat lower servings of red meats and chicken as the main food sources of zinc in students' usual diets (p < 0.001). Consumption of other foods as the sources of zinc was not significantly different in two groups. A linear significant correlation between dietary zinc intakes and its serum levels was seen in samples (r = 0.62; p < 0.001) and MDD students (r = 0.55; p < 0.001). There was a linear inverse correlation between Beck questionnaire scores and serum zinc concentrations in all of the investigated students(r = -0.65; p < 0.001) and MDD girls (r = −0.71; p < 0.001). Beck questionnaire scores and diatary zinc intakes were also inversly correlated (r = −0.58; p < 0.001). However, no statistical correlation was seen between these two variables in MDD cases. In depressed female students, dietary zinc intake is correlated to its serum concentrations; however, the serum zinc levels are inversely correlated to depression scales. Consumption of the main dietary sources of zinc such as red meats and chicken should be encouraged in young depressed girls.     

Zinc and Fatty Acids in Depression

Polyunsaturated Fatty acids (PUFAs) seem to be helpful in the therapy of depression. Zinc (Zn) may be one co-factor contributing to their antidepressive effect. Zn acts lipid protective and is a constituent of fatty acid metabolism enzymes. In animals, an antidepressive effect of Zn was already demonstrated. Therefore, if and how Zn and PUFAs correlate in depressive patients or in individuals from the general population was investigated. Blood samples were collected from 88 depressive in-patients and 88 volunteers from the general population matched for age-group and gender (each 32 men and 56 women, 21–70 years) for measurement of Zn (colorimetric) and of 12 fatty acids (FAs) (by capillary gas-chromatography). Severity of depression in patients was assessed by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). Zn concentration was independent of age, gender and body-mass-index and significantly correlated with the severity of depression measured by BDI (r = 0.26; P = 0.034) in depressive patients,. HDRS was inversely correlated with gammalinolenic acid concentration (r = −0.24; P = 0.029). Median serum Zn concentration in depressive patients did not differ from control individuals. Zn was correlated with myristic acid concentration (r = 0.22; P < 0.05) in controls from the general population; and a negative correlation between Zn and dihomogammalinolenic acid concentration (r = −0.26; P < 0.05) was found in depressive inpatients. FA composition in serum significantly differed between depressive and healthy persons: Depressive patients had higher stearic and arachidonic acid (AA) concentration. Relative to AA, their eicosapentaenoic and docosapentaenoic acid concentration were diminished compared to the general populations group. These results do not confirm the hypothesis of a general lack of Zn in depressive disorders, but Zn concentrations differed dependent on comorbid disorders and severity of depression. In depressive patients and control persons Zn concentration is associated with different FAs indicating diverging metabolic pathways.     

95例SARS患者细胞免疫功能抑制的特点及其原因

用ELISA方法测定95例SARS患者急性期、恢复期血清细胞因子水平,用流式细胞仪检测该组患者急性期、恢复期淋巴细胞亚群,并分析细胞因子水平和淋巴细胞亚群变化的关系。结果发现,IL-10和TGF—β在观察期（急性期和恢复期）持续升高,急性期CD4^＋和CD8^＋T细胞显著减少,恢复期患者外周血CD8^＋记忆T细胞减少36．78％。IL-10和TGF-β升高与淋巴细胞变化具有统计学相关。结果提示,SARS病毒感染抑制宿主的细胞免疫功能,引起急性期CD4^＋和CD8^＋T细胞显著降低和恢复期的免疫记忆细胞减少。而IL-10和TGF—β过表达可能在SARS免疫病理中起重要作用。     

Essential Amino Acids in the Gluten-Free Diet and Serum in Relation to Depression in Patients with Celiac Disease

IntroductionCeliac disease (CD) is associated with an increased risk of major depressive disorder, possibly due to deficiencies in micronutrients in the gluten-free diet. We aimed to investigate whether essential amino acids (i.e., the precursors of serotonin, dopamine and other neurotransmitters) are depleted in the diet and serum of CD patients with major depressive disorder.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study we assessed dietary intake of amino acids and serum levels of amino acids, in 77 CD patients on a gluten-free diet and in 33 healthy controls. Major depressive disorder was assessed with structured interviews (using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview Plus). Dietary intake was assessed using a 203-item food frequency questionnaire.ResultsParticipants had a mean age of 55 years and 74% were women. The intake of vegetable protein was significantly lower in CD patients than in healthy controls (mean difference of 7.8 g/d; 95% CI: 4.7–10.8), as were serum concentrations of tyrosine, phenylalanine and tryptophan (all p < 0.005). However, within the CD patient group, the presence of major depressive disorder (n = 42) was not associated with intake or serum levels of essential amino acids.ConclusionsPatients with CD on a long-term gluten-free diet, with good adherence, consume significantly less vegetable protein than controls, and their serum levels of several essential amino acids were also lower. Despite its potential adverse effect, intake and serum levels of essential amino acids were not related to major depression.     

突发性耳聋患者焦虑抑郁状况及其影响因素分析

目的:探讨突发性耳聋患者焦虑、抑郁现状,并分析导致患者焦虑、抑郁的影响因素。方法:采用焦虑自评量表(SAS)、抑郁自评量表(SDS)评价2015年2月至2017年12月我院耳鼻喉科收治的156例突发性耳聋患者的焦虑、抑郁心理状态,收集患者一般资料、发病以及治疗情况,采用Logistic多元回归分析突发性耳聋患者焦虑、抑郁的影响因素。结果:本组患者中发生焦虑者48例,发生率为30.77%,发生抑郁者41例,发生率为26.28%。单因素分析结果显示,突发性耳聋患者焦虑、抑郁的发生与年龄、性别、经济收入、文化程度、伴随症状种类数、听力损失程度、耳聋耳鸣程度、合并基础疾病种类数、治疗疗效有关(P0.05)。多因素分析结果显示,年龄为30-60岁、重度或极重度耳鸣、听力损失程度≥70 dBHL、合并基础疾病≥3种、治疗无效是突发性耳聋患者发生焦虑的危险因素,女性、重度耳聋、合并基础疾病≥3种、治疗无效是突发性耳聋患者发生抑郁的危险因素。结论:突发性耳聋患者焦虑、抑郁发生率较高,其焦虑、抑郁水平受年龄、性别、耳聋耳鸣程度、合并疾病种类数、治疗疗效影响,医护人员应关注患者心理健康,积极治疗原发疾病,控制基础疾病,并进行心理疏导,以减轻患者焦虑、抑郁水平。     

Associations between Neuroticism and Depression in Relation to Catastrophizing and Pain-Related Anxiety in Chronic Pain Patients

Several cognitive-affective constructs, including pain catastrophizing and pain-related anxiety, have been implicated in the onset and progression of chronic pain, and both constructs have been identified as key targets for multidisciplinary pain treatment. Both neuroticism and depression have been linked to these constructs (and to each other), but how each may contribute to the pain experience is unknown. This study tested associations between neuroticism, depression, and indices of catastrophizing and pain-related anxiety among persons seeking treatment for chronic non-malignant pain. We hypothesized, as a higher-order personality trait, neuroticism would remain uniquely associated with both pain catastrophizing and pain-related anxiety, even after accounting for current symptoms of depression. A retrospective study design assessed depression (as measured by the Centers for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale), neuroticism (measured with the Neuroticism-Extraversion-Openness Personality Inventory), the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, and the Pain Anxiety Symptom Score in a consecutive series of patients (n=595) admitted to a 3-week outpatient pain treatment program from March 2009 through January 2011. Hierarchical regression indicated that neuroticism was independently associated with greater pain catastrophizing and pain-related anxiety, above-and-beyond the contributions of sociodemographic characteristics, pain severity, and depression. A depression by neuroticism interaction was not observed, suggesting that associations between neuroticism and cognitive-affective pain constructs remained stable across varying levels of current depression. These findings represent an early but important step towards the clarification of complex associations between trait neuroticism, current depression, and tendencies toward catastrophic and anxiety-provoking appraisals of pain among persons seeking treatment for chronic pain.     

Dietary Intake of Zinc was Inversely Associated with Depression

Depression is an important cause of morbidity, and World Health Organization has predicted that it will be the second leading contributor to the global burden of disease by 2020. Postgraduate students are at high risk for depression caused by the stress of examinations, the academic environment, and relationship problems with peers, lecturers, and family members. Physical inactivity, advancing age, unmarried status, and many other factors contribute to the development of depression in humans. Associations between symptoms of depression and the intake of nutrients such as magnesium have been investigated; however, the relationship between zinc intake and depression has not received as much attention. The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between dietary intake of zinc and depression in postgraduate students. This study was conducted on 402 participants with a mean age of 32.54 ± 6.22 years, including 173 (43%) women and 229 (57%) men. In this study, we found an inverse relationship between dietary intake of zinc and depression. The results persisted even after we controlled for several potential confounding variables related to depression symptoms, including age, sex, years of education, smoking status (current and past), and physical activity. The results of this study show that long-term intake of zinc may modulate symptoms of depression.     

Serum Copper and Zinc Levels in Patients with Endometrial Cancer

Biological Trace Element Research - The aim of the present study was to evaluate serum concentrations of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), in relation with metabolic profile and clinicopathologic features...     

Symptoms of Turkish Patients with Depression in Ankara and Berlin

Numerous studies have investigated the potential impact of migration on psychiatric morbidity levels. Relatively little research has studied how the symptom profiles of patients with similar disorders and similar backgrounds are linked to the culture in which they live. Such research requires comparisons of immigrant patient samples with samples of patient who remain in their country of origin. In this study we compared symptoms in Turkish patients with depression living in Ankara, Turkey, and Berlin, Germany. To understand symptoms of patients with depression, not only the culture of origin but also the cultural context in which patients have been living needs to be considered as an important factor. The new culture can be associated with distinct, and not necessarily more serious, symptom profiles.     

Changes of Sleep Adaptation in Hospitalized Patients with Depression

Sleep adaptation in an unfamiliar environment, the so-called “first-night effect”, is known to occur in healthy individuals. To avoid the confounding effects of the “first-night effect”, the first-night sleep data are not used in most of sleep studies. In the present study, we examined changes of sleep adaptation in hospitalized patients with depression. Polysomnographic recordings were obtained for two consecutive nights from 14 patients, and sleep parameters were compared between both nights. Total sleep time, sleep latency, awakening times, movement awakening time, sleep efficiency, sleep architecture, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep latency, REM intensity, REM density, REM time, REM cycles, and other indicators showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the first and second nights. To conclude, hospitalized patients with depression have relatively less change in sleep adaptation, thus, the data from their first night do not need to be discarded.     

Nitric Oxide-Related Biological Pathways in Patients with Major Depression

Background

Major depression is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and increased mortality following myocardial infarction. However, biomarkers of depression and increased cardiovascular risk are still missing. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate, whether nitric-oxide (NO) related factors for endothelial dysfunction, such as global arginine bioavailability, arginase activity, L-arginine/ADMA ratio and the arginine metabolites asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) might be biomarkers for depression-induced cardiovascular risk.

Methods

In 71 in-patients with major depression and 48 healthy controls the Global Arginine Bioavailability Ratio (GABR), arginase activity (arginine/ornithine ratio), the L-arginine/ADMA ratio, ADMA, and SDMA were determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Psychiatric and laboratory assessments were obtained at baseline at the time of in-patient admittance and at the time of hospital discharge.

Results

The ADMA concentrations in patients with major depression were significantly elevated and the SDMA concentrations were significantly decreased in comparison with the healthy controls. Even after a first improvement of depression, ADMA and SDMA levels remained nearly unchanged. In addition, after a first improvement of depression at the time of hospital discharge, a significant decrease in arginase activity, an increased L-arginine/ADMA ratio and a trend for increased global arginine bioavailability were observed.

Conclusions

Our study results are evidence that in patients with major depression ADMA and SDMA might be biomarkers to indicate an increased cardiovascular threat due to depression-triggered NO reduction. GABR, the L-arginine/ADMA ratio and arginase activity might be indicators of therapy success and increased NO production after remission.     

Thalassemic hydrops fetalis in two Chinese-Canadian families

Two unrelated Chinese-Canadian families with recurrent hydrops fetalis are described. The investigation, acid-base and blood gas studies, and clinical course of one hydropic fetus with large amounts of hemoglobin Bart''s who survived for three hours are described. Data for the parents of both families, consistent with the alphathalassemia carrier state, are presented.     

Effects of Forced Running Exercise on Cognitive Function and Its Relation to Zinc Homeostasis-Related Gene Expression in Rat Hippocampus

Voluntary exercise has been implicated to be beneficial for overall health and cognitive function in both clinical and experimental studies, but little is presently known about forced physical exercise on cognition and underlying molecular mechanism. We have used real-time RT-PCR to analyze gene expression in hippocampus, in the presence and absence of physical exercise, during spatial learning of rats in the Morris water maze. Our results show distinct zinc homeostasis-related gene expression profiles associated with learning and memory. Rats with physical exercise (EXP) showed a significant up-regulation of mRNA expression of zinc transporter-2 (ZnT-2), ZnT-4, ZnT-5, ZnT-6, and ZnT-7, metallothionein-1 (MT-1)–MT-3, divalent cation transporter-1, and Zrt-Irt-like proteins-7 in hippocampus when compared with control rats. In addition, spatial learning ability was improved in EXP rats compared with that in control group. This study provides the first comparative view of zinc homeostasis-related gene expression in hippocampus following forced physical exercise. These results suggested that forced physical exercise may provide a simple means to maintain brain function and promote learning capacity. Results of this study also suggest that exercise mobilizes zinc homeostasis-related gene expression profiles that would be predicted to benefit brain plasticity processes.     

Zinc and Homocysteine Levels in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Patients with Insulin Resistance

In this study, our objective was to evaluating the value of serum zinc levels as an etiologic and prognostic marker in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome. We conducted a prospective study, including 53 women with polycystic ovarian syndrome and 33 healthy controls. We compared serum zinc levels, as well as clinical and metabolic features, of the cases. We also compared serum zinc levels between patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome with insulin resistance. Mean zinc levels were found to be significantly lower in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome than healthy controls. Multiple logistic regression analysis of significant metabolic variables between polycystic ovarian syndrome and control groups (serum zinc level, body mass index, the ratio of triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and homocysteine) revealed that zinc level was the most significant variable to predict polycystic ovarian syndrome. Mean serum zinc levels tended to be lower in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome with impaired glucose tolerance than patients with normal glucose tolerance, but the difference was not statistically significant. In conclusion, zinc deficiency may play a role in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovarian syndrome and may be related with its long-term metabolic complications.     

Leptin,NPY, Melatonin and Zinc Levels in Experimental Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism: The Relation to Zinc

Since zinc mediates the effects of many hormones or is found in the structure of numerous hormone receptors, zinc deficiency leads to various functional impairments in the hormone balance. And also thyroid hormones have important activity on metabolism and feeding. NPY and leptin are affective on food intake and regulation of appetite. The present study is conducted to determine how zinc supplementation and deficiency affect thyroid hormones (free and total T3 and T4), melatonin, leptin, and NPY levels in thyroid dysfunction in rats. The experiment groups in the study were formed as follows: Control (C); Hypothyroidism (PTU); Hypothyroidism+Zinc (PTU+Zn); Hypothyroidism+Zinc deficient; Hyperthyroidism (H); Hyperthyroidism+Zinc (H+Zn); and Hyperthyroidism+Zinc deficient. Thyroid hormone parameters (FT₃, FT₄, TT₃, and TT₄) were found to be reduced in hypothyroidism groups and elevated in the hyperthyroidism groups. Melatonin values increased in hyperthyroidism and decreased in hypothyroidism. Leptin and NPY levels both increased in hypo- and hyperthyroidism. Zinc levels, on the other hand, decreased in hypothyroidism and increased in hyperthyroidism. Zinc supplementation, particularly when thyroid function is impaired, has been demonstrated to markedly prevent these changes.     

终末期肾脏病患者睡眠质量的影响因素及其与生活质量、焦虑抑郁的关系研究

目的:探讨终末期肾脏病(ESRD)患者睡眠质量的影响因素及其与生活质量、焦虑抑郁的关系.方法:选取2018年3月～2019年12月期间我院收治的ESRD患者198例为研究对象.患者睡眠质量采用匹兹堡睡眠指数量表(PSQI)评价.采用焦虑自评量表(SAS)与抑郁自评量表(SDS)评估患者焦虑、抑郁状态.采用肾病生活质量评...