PreprintCited by 16Mitochondrial Function and PathologyTreatment of Major DepressionTryptophan and brain disorders

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Association between Mitochondrial DNA Levels and Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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Preprint — published as 10.1186/s12888-023-05358-8 · Paper page

Abstract

Background Disturbances in energy metabolism due to mitochondrial dysfunction have emerged as one of the important cause in the pathogenesis of depression. Many studies have found that mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA) content changes in the peripheral blood or cerebrospinal fluid of patients with depression. Some investigators ask whether it has a clear association between mtDNA and depression. Thus, we conducted a meta-analysis to comprehensively assess the evidence for mtDNA's effect on depression. Methods PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, the Web of Science, Wanfang Database, SINOMED, China Science and Technology Journal Databaseand China National Knowledge Infrastructure were searched up to 13 March 2023. RevMan (version 5.4) and Stata (version 16.0) software were used for meta-analysis. Besides, publication bias was assessed with funnel plots, Begg’s test and Egger’s test. Results A total of 1372 patients were included in this study, including 686 patients with depression and 686 healthy controls. A meta-analysis including eleven studies showed significantly higher mtDNA level in depression compared with healthy controls [standardised mean difference(SMD) = 0.42, 95% confidence intervals(CI): 0.16, 0.69]. Conclusions Our study demonstrates significantly higher mtDNA leveles in depression comparison to healthy controls. Registration number: PROSPERO CRD42023414285.

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Fig. 1 Flow diagram of study selection
Fig. 1 Flow diagram of study selectionCC BY · PubMed Central
Fig. 2 Forest plot displaying the results of the meta-analysis, including all ten articles regarding mtDNA in depression, which comprises twelve comparisons
Fig. 2 Forest plot displaying the results of the meta-analysis, including all ten articles regarding mtDNA in depression, which comprises twelve comparisonsCC BY · PubMed Central
Fig. 3(A) Subgroup analysis categorized according to the specimen type
Fig. 3(A) Subgroup analysis categorized according to the specimen typeCC BY · PubMed Central
Fig. 3(B) Subgroup analysis categorized according to the detection method
Fig. 3(B) Subgroup analysis categorized according to the detection methodCC BY · PubMed Central
Fig. 3(C) Subgroup analysis categorized according to the geographical location
Fig. 3(C) Subgroup analysis categorized according to the geographical locationCC BY · PubMed Central
Fig. 4 Funnel plot illustrating the studies included in the meta-analysis pertaining to depression
Fig. 4 Funnel plot illustrating the studies included in the meta-analysis pertaining to depressionCC BY · PubMed Central

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Metadata

Authors
Li, W., Zhu, L., Chen, Y., Zhuo, Y., Wan, S., & Guo, R.
Affiliations
Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (CN)
Corresponding author
  • Zhu, Lingqun
  • Guo, Rongjuan
Venue
BMC Psychiatry
Published
2023-07-11
Volume
23
Issue
1
Pages
866-866
ISSN
1471-244X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4388905853
Cited by
16
References
2
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 3
FWCI
0.42
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • BMC Psychiatry (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Research Square (acceptedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
National Natural Science Foundation of China (U21A20401, No.U21A20401)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology (medical) › Treatment of Major Depression
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
Keywords
mitochondrial DNA, depression, mitochondrial dysfunction, energy metabolism, cerebrospinal fluid, dermal fibroblasts, biomarkers, depression diagnosis
MeSH terms
Adult, Depression, DNA, Mitochondrial, Female, Health Status, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Mitochondria, Risk Factors

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