Circulating metabolites and depression: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization
Yankai Dong1,2, Zengxiao Zou1,2, Pin Deng3
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Frontiers in Neuroscience
|May 8, 2023
Summary
This study used Mendelian randomization to investigate the causal links between circulating metabolites and depression. Apolipoprotein A-I and glutamine show protective effects, while other metabolites may increase depression risk.
Area of Science:
- Metabolomics
- Psychiatric Genetics
- Biomarkers
Background:
- Depression is linked to circulating metabolites, but causal relationships remain unclear.
- Understanding these links is crucial for identifying depression risk factors and therapeutic targets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the causal relationship between circulating metabolites and depression.
- To explore the role of specific metabolites in the development of depression.
Main Methods:
- Utilized two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) with genome-wide association study data.
- Analyzed top single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for metabolites (n=24,925) and depression (n=322,580).
- Employed various MR methods including inverse variance weighted and MR Egger.
Main Results:
- Apolipoprotein A-I and glutamine demonstrated protective causal effects against depression.
- Acetoacetate, glycoproteins, isoleucine, and urea were identified as potential risk factors for depression.
- Reverse MR analysis indicated no causal effect of depression on these metabolites.
Conclusions:
- Apolipoprotein A-I and glutamine may offer protection against depression.
- Acetoacetate, glycoproteins, isoleucine, glucose, and urea could be associated with increased depression risk.
- Further research is needed to translate these findings into clinical practice.
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