M. Maes et al., LOWER DEGREE OF ESTERIFICATION OF SERUM-CHOLESTEROL IN DEPRESSION - RELEVANCE FOR DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE RESEARCH, Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica, 90(4), 1994, pp. 252-258
Previous studies have suggested that depression and suicide are relate
d to alterations in total cholesterol serum concentrations, and that a
n altered distribution of haptoglobin (Hp) phenotypes in major depress
ion indicates that variation on chromosome 16 may be associated with t
hat illness. Lecithin:cholesterol acyl transferase (LCAT, EC 2.3.1.43)
, the enzyme that catalyzes the esterifying reaction of cholesterol in
serum, is located close to the Hp gene. This study examined the serum
concentrations of total and free cholesterol and the esterified chole
sterol ratio in 26 healthy controls, 47 unipolar depressed subjects (1
6 minor, 14 simple major and 17 melancholic depressed subjects) and 12
relatives of melancholic subjects. Depressed subjects (regardless of
subtype) and relatives of depressed subjects had a significantly lower
esterified cholesterol ratio than normal controls. No significant dif
ferences in total or free cholesterol concentrations were found betwee
n the above study groups. In depressed subjects, there were no signifi
cant relationships between the esterified cholesterol ratio, total or
free cholesterol and postdexamethasone adrenocorticotropic or cortisol
values, Hp phenotypes, severity of illness or suicidal symptoms. It i
s hypothesized that lower esterification in serum cholesterol may cons
titute a vulnerability factor for depression through alterations in ce
ll membrane microviscosity.