Relationship Between Obesity and Depression Considering the Inflammatory Theory
Aleksandra Julia Oracz1, Mateusz Zwierz2, Maciej Naumowicz2
1Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Bialystok, pl. Wołodyjowskiego 2, 15-272 Białystok, Poland.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|June 13, 2025
Summary
Excess body fat triggers chronic inflammation and neurochemical changes linked to depression. Targeting inflammation may offer new therapeutic strategies for obesity-related mood disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Metabolic disorders
- Obesity research
Background:
- Excess adipose tissue, especially visceral fat, is linked to chronic inflammation.
- Obesity alters key metabolic and neurochemical pathways, including the kynurenine pathway and serotonin synthesis.
- Inflammatory states and neurochemical imbalances are implicated in the pathomechanisms of depression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the neuroimmunological and metabolic disturbances associated with obesity.
- To investigate the link between obesity-induced changes and the pathomechanisms of depression.
- To identify potential therapeutic targets for depression in overweight individuals.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific findings on obesity, inflammation, and depression.
- Analysis of neurochemical alterations, including kynurenine pathway and neurotransmitter systems.
- Examination of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and adipokine profiles.
Main Results:
- Obesity promotes a chronic inflammatory state with elevated proinflammatory cytokines and altered T helper responses.
- Obesity-induced changes include kynurenine pathway activation, reduced serotonin, altered adipokines, HPA axis dysfunction, and GABAergic system impairment.
- These neuroimmunological and metabolic disturbances may underlie depression in overweight patients.
Conclusions:
- Obesity-induced neuroinflammation and metabolic dysfunction offer insights into depression's pathomechanisms.
- Biomarkers of inflammation present novel therapeutic targets for depression.
- Anti-inflammatory interventions may advance the treatment of depression in obese individuals.
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