Cited by 227Tryptophan and brain disordersAdipokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic DiseasesStress Responses and Cortisol

Central and Peripheral Inflammation Link Metabolic Syndrome and Major Depressive Disorder

Open access
Chan, Kenny L., Cathomas, Flurin, Russo, Scott J.·2019·Physiology

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome and major depression are two of the most common and debilitating disorders worldwide, occurring with significant rates of comorbidity. Recent studies have uncovered that each of these conditions is associated with chronic, low-grade inflammation. This is characterized by increased circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines, altered leukocyte population frequencies in blood, accumulation of immune cells in tissues including the brain, and activation of these immune cells. Cytokines that become elevated during obesity can contribute to the progression of metabolic syndrome by directly causing insulin resistance. During chronic stress, there is evidence that these cytokines promote depression-like behavior by disrupting neurotransmitter synthesis and signal transduction. Animal models of obesity and depression have revealed a bi-directional relationship whereby high-fat feeding and chronic stress synergize and exacerbate metabolic dysregulation and behavioral abnormalities. Although far from conclusive, emerging evidence suggests that inflammation in the central and peripheral immune system may link metabolic syndrome to major depressive disorder. In this review, we will synthesize available data supporting this view and identify critical areas for future investigation.

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Crossref · 10.1152/physiol.00047.2018

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  • People with MDD frequently also have immune and inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and IBD.

    “Unsurprisingly, people with MDD display high rates of co-morbidity with immune and inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)9–12.”

    From Central regulation of stress-evoked peripheral immune responses (2023) · cites this paper as [11]

    The Introduction (page unavailable) identifies cardiovascular disease as an MDD comorbidity and says comorbidity with metabolic syndrome is well recognized, though it varies across cohorts. The passages retrieved from our copy do not establish high rates of MDD comorbidity with rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease, so the full list is not supported by this source. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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Authors
Chan, K. L., Cathomas, F., & Russo, S. J.
Affiliations
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (US)
Venue
Physiology
Published
2019-03-01
Volume
34
Issue
2
Pages
123-133
ISSN
  • 0886-1714 (ISSN-L)
  • 1548-9213
  • 1548-9221
OpenAlex
W2913595316
Cited by
227
References
154
Citations by year
2026: 21 · 2025: 39 · 2024: 43 · 2023: 35 · 2022: 31 · 2021: 24 · 2020: 22 · 2019: 12
FWCI
1.37
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Physiology (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • HHS | NIH | National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (RO1 MH090264, P50 MH096890, RO1 MH104559, P50 AT008661-01)
  • Swiss National Science Foundation (Schweizerische Nationalfonds)
  • University of Zurich
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Adipokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic Diseases
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
Keywords
metabolic syndrome, major depressive disorder, low-grade inflammation, inflammatory cytokines, obesity, insulin resistance, chronic stress, high-fat feeding, comorbidities, neurotransmitter synthesis
MeSH terms
Animals, Depressive Disorder, Major, Major Depressive Disorder, Encephalitis, Humans, Inflammation, Leukocytes, Obesity, Stress, Psychological, Cytokines, Inflammation Mediators, Metabolic Syndrome

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