Zinc Alpha-2-Glycoprotein Levels and Their Correlations with Obesity in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

Year 2025, Volume: 14 Issue: 3, 722 - 728, 31.10.2025

Esra Arslan , Tuğçin Mutlu , Furkan Akbaş , Hayriye Baykan , Mehmet Orbay Soğucak , Mervan Uğur Yağcı , Meryem Gül , Özgür Baykan

Abstract

Objective: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the most prevalent mood disorder, presenting a range of psychological, physical, and cognitive symptoms. Diagnosis is a subjective process that predominantly relies on structured clinical interviews. The identification of novel biomarkers could improve diagnostic precision. Zinc alpha-2-glycoprotein (ZAG), a 41–43 kDa glycoprotein present in various tissues and secreted into body fluids, has emerged as a candidate biomarker. This study aims to evaluate the role of ZAG in the differential diagnosis of MDD and its association with obesity. Materials and Methods:
The study included 44 patients with MDD and 40 healthy controls. Serum ZAG levels were measured using an ELISA kit. Results: Median ZAG levels were 69.0 (19–150) µg/ml in controls and 32.4 (0.5–150) µg/ml in MDD patients. The difference was not statistically significant. No significant correlation was found between ZAG levels and BMI (p=0.063). A weak negative correlation was observed between ZAG level and MDD (p=0.012, r=-0.272). Conclusion: ZAG levels were lower in MDD patients compared to healthy controls, potentially reflecting the severity of depressive symptoms. Further studies are required to clarify the utility of ZAG as a biomarker for MDD.

Keywords

major depressive disorder , obesity , Body Mass Index

Majör Depresif Bozukluk Tanılı Hastalarda Çinko-Alfa-2-Glikoprotein Düzeyleri ve Obezite ile İlişkisi

Abstract

Amaç: Majör depresif bozukluk (MDD), çeşitli psikolojik, fiziksel ve bilişsel semptomlarla seyreden en yaygın duygudurum bozukluğudur. Tanısı büyük ölçüde yapılandırılmış klinik görüşmelere dayanan subjektif bir süreçtir. Yeni biyobelirteçlerin tanımlanması, tanısal doğruluğu artırabilir. Çinko alfa-2-glikoprotein (ZAG), çeşitli dokularda bulunan ve vücut sıvılarına salgılanan 41–43 kDa ağırlığında bir glikoprotein olup, potansiyel bir biyobelirteç adayıdır. Bu çalışma, ZAG’ın MDD’nin ayırıcı tanısındaki rolünü ve obezite ile olan ilişkisini değerlendirmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Gereç ve Yöntem:
Çalışmaya Balıkesir Üniversitesi Psikiyatri Anabilim Dalı’ndan 44 MDD hastası ve 40 sağlıklı kontrol birey dahil edilmiştir. Serum ZAG düzeyleri ELISA kiti kullanılarak ölçülmüştür. Bulgular: Kontrol grubunda ZAG düzeyleri medyan 69,0 (19–150) µg/ml, hasta grubunda ise 32,4 (0,5–150) µg/ml olarak bulunmuştur. Gruplar arasındaki fark istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bulunmadı. ZAG düzeyleri ile beden kitle indeksi (BKİ) arasında anlamlı bir ilişki bulunmamıştır (P=0,063). ZAG düzeyi ile MDD arasında negatif yönde zayıf korelasyon gözlendi (P=0.012, rs =-0.272). Sonuç: MDD hastalarında ZAG düzeylerinin sağlıklı kontrollere göre daha düşük olduğu görülmüş ve bu durum depresyon şiddetiyle ilişkili olabileceği düşünülmüştür. ZAG’ın MDD için biyobelirteç olarak kullanılabilirliğini netleştirmek amacıyla ileri çalışmalara ihtiyaç vardır.
Anahtar Kelimeler: Beden Kitle İndeksi, Majör Depresif Bozukluk, Obezite.

Keywords

majör depresif bozukluk , obezite , Beden Kitle İndeksi

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