Increased Ghrelin Levels and Unchanged Adipocytokine Levels in Major Depressive Disorder

Objective: One of the hypotheses of the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD) proposes that there is a relationship between adipocytokine and ghrelin levels and depression. Methods: Patients with major depression with a BMI 25kg/m(2) between the ages of 11 and 18 years (n=30) were compared with a healthy control group (n=30). Both groups were evaluated across a pretreatment period (MD-PT) and an improved period (MD-I). We measured serum leptin, adiponectin, resistin, and ghrelin levels and other parameters related to metabolic syndrome, such as glucose, insulin, insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment [HOMA]), triglycerides (TG), and total cholesterol (TCHOL). Results: Leptin, adiponectin, and resistin levels did not differ across groups; however, ghrelin levels were increased in the MD-I group compared with the control and MD-PT groups (p<0.05). HOMA levels were also higher in the MD-PT group than in the control group (p<0.05). After treatment, there was no difference in this measurement. Conclusions: The relationship between adipocytokines and major depression may be dependent on ghrelin levels as a result of antidepressant treatment and subsequent obesity.