Elevated total cholesterol in severely depressed patients: Role in cardiovascular risk?

Background. Cholesterol is an essential component of cell membrane constituting the neuronal cells and mediates multiple functions affecting neuronal transmission in the central nervous system. Abnormalities in serum lipid fractions have been reported in depression, but the clinical and biological significance of such findings are yet to be elucidated. Aims and objective. To study the abnormalities of lipid fractions in subjects with unipolar depression. Methodology. Thirty patients with unipolar depression and normal controls were recruited in this study. Serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides were studied. Data analysis was performed by using an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) controlling for age, sex, body mass index, lifestyle, and dietary habits. Results. The data showed significant elevation of serum total cholesterol in depressed patients compared with normal controls. Identical results were obtained after controlling for the effects of confounders. Conclusion. Results of this study point to particular subgroup of subjects who have elevated cholesterol among the depressed cohort. This may have significant implications in risk assessment for cardiovascular disorders and planning preventive strategies.