Background
Zinc is an essential micronutrient with diverse biological roles in cell growth, apoptosis
and metabolism, and in the regulation of endocrine, immune, and neuronal functions
implicated in the pathophysiology of depression. This study sought to quantitatively
summarize the clinical data comparing peripheral blood zinc concentrations between
depressed and nondepressed subjects.
Methods
PubMed, Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and PsycINFO were
searched for original peer-reviewed studies (to June 2012) measuring zinc concentrations
in serum or plasma from depressed subjects (identified by either screening or clinical
criteria) and nondepressed control subjects. Mean (±SD) zinc concentrations were extracted,
combined quantitatively in random-effects meta-analysis, and summarized as a weighted
mean difference (WMD).
Results
Seventeen studies, measuring peripheral blood zinc concentrations in 1643 depressed
and 804 control subjects, were included. Zinc concentrations were approximately −1.85
µmol/L lower in depressed subjects than control subjects (95% confidence interval:
[CI]: −2.51 to −1.19 µmol/L, Z17 = 5.45, p < .00001). Heterogeneity was detected (χ217 = 142.81, p < .00001, I2 = 88%) and explored; in studies that quantified depressive symptoms, greater depression
severity was associated with greater relative zinc deficiency (B = −1.503, t9 = −2.82, p = .026). Effect sizes were numerically larger in studies of inpatients (WMD −2.543,
95% CI: −3.522 to −1.564, Z9 = 5.09, p < .0001) versus community samples (WMD −.943, 95% CI: −1.563 to −.323, Z7 = 2.98, p = .003) and in studies of higher methodological quality (WMD −2.354, 95% CI: −2.901
to −1.807, Z7 = 8.43, p < .0001).
Conclusions
Depression is associated with a lower concentration of zinc in peripheral blood. The
pathophysiological relationships between zinc status and depression, and the potential
benefits of zinc supplementation in depressed patients, warrant further investigation.
Key Words
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Article Info
Publication History
Published online: June 26, 2013
Accepted:
May 9,
2013
Received in revised form:
April 17,
2013
Received:
December 20,
2012
Identification
Copyright
© 2013 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
