Dataset Information

Branched-Chain Amino Acids as New Biomarkers of Major Depression - A Novel Neurobiology of Mood Disorder.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The proteinogenic branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) valine, leucine and isoleucine might play an unrecognised crucial role in the development of depression through their activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTor) pathway. The aim of this research project is to evaluate whether BCAAs are altered in patients with major depression and might thus be appropriate biomarkers for major depression.

Methods

The concentrations of valine, leucine and isoleucine were determined in 71 in-patients with major depression and 48 healthy controls by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Psychiatric and laboratory assessments were obtained at the time of in-patient admittance.

Results

The BCAAs are significantly decreased in patients with major depression in comparison with healthy subjects (valine: Mann-Whitney-U: 968.0; p <0.0001, leucine: Mann-Whitney-U: 1246.5; p = 0.013, isoleucine: Mann-Whitney-U: 1252.5; p = 0.014). Furthermore, as shown by Spearman's rank correlation coefficients, there is a significant negative correlation between valine, leucine and isoleucine concentrations and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) as well as Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) scores.

Conclusions

Our study results are strong evidence that in patients with major depression, BCAAs might be appropriate biomarkers for depression. Reduced activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTor) due to a reduction of BCAAs might play a crucial unrecognised factor in the etiology of depression and may evoke depressive symptomatology and lower energy metabolism in patients with major depression. In the future, mTor and its up- and downstream signalling partners might be important targets for the development of novel antidepressants.

SUBMITTER: Baranyi A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4973973 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BackgroundCirculating branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) levels reflect metabolic health and dietary intake. However, associations with breast cancer are unclear.MethodsWe evaluated circulating BCAA levels and breast cancer risk within the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) and NHSII (1997 cases and 1997 controls). A total of 592 NHS women donated 2 blood samples 10 years apart. We estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of breast cancer risk in multivariable logistic regression models. We conducted an external validation in 1765 cases in the Women's Health Study (WHS). All statistical tests were 2-sided.ResultsAmong NHSII participants (predominantly premenopausal at blood collection), elevated circulating BCAA levels were associated with lower breast cancer risk (eg, isoleucine highest vs lowest quartile, multivariable OR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.65 to 1.13, P trend = .20), with statistically significant linear trends among fasting samples (eg, isoleucine OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.53 to 1.05, P trend = .05). In contrast, among postmenopausal women, proximate measures (<10 years from blood draw) were associated with increased breast cancer risk (eg, isoleucine OR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.12 to 2.39, P trend = .01), with stronger associations among fasting samples (OR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.15 to 2.61, P trend = .01). Distant measures (10-20 years since blood draw) were not associated with risk. In the WHS, a positive association was observed for distant measures of leucine among postmenopausal women (OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 0.96 to 1.58, P trend = .04).ConclusionsNo statistically significant associations between BCAA levels and breast cancer risk were consistent across NHS and WHS or NHSII and WHS. Elevated circulating BCAA levels were associated with lower breast cancer risk among predominantly premenopausal NHSII women and higher risk among postmenopausal women in NHS but not in the WHS. Additional studies are needed to understand this complex relationship.