Hypozincemia in depression

Abstract

This study investigates serum levels of zinc in 48 unipolar depressed subjects (16 minor, 14 simple major and 18 melancholic subjects) and 32 normal volunteers, and the relationships between zincemia and plasma neopterin levels, postdexamethasone adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol values, and anorexia-weight loss. Serum zinc levels were significantly lower in major depressed subjects than in normal controls, whereas minor depressed subjects showed intermediate values. There were significant negative correlations between serum zinc, and severity of depression and plasma neopterin concentrations. No significant relationships between zincemia and either postdexamethasone hormone values or anorexia/weight loss were found. The findings suggest that hypozincemia in major depression may be related to activation of cell-mediated immunity in that illness.