engleski

Hair multielement profile analysis revealed combined low-level subclinical metal exposure as an etiological factor of depression

Depression is the most common mental disorder of unknown origin with greater prevalence in women than men. We have analyzed hair multielement profile in depressed adult men (n=40) and women (n=79) ; controls were adult healthy men (n=299) and women (n=655). Depression was diagnosed by the registered psychiatrist MD according to the DSM-IV criteria. Hair samples were analyzed for Ag, Al, As, Au, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, Ge, Hg, I, K, La, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Pt, Rb, Sb, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, V, W, Zn and Zr with ICP MS. The factor analysis identified 12 different factors having Eigen values (EV) of 0.300 or higher (we categorize the strength of element association with depression as EV 0.300- 0.499, EV 0.500-0.699. and EV >0.700. The first and the most significant factor involved 11 elements where the occurrence of depression was inversely related (-) to the increase of an element [(element (EV)]: Ag (0.8751 Au (0.926), Bi (0.8911 Ga (0.954). Ge (0.7031 La (0.946), Pt (0.5541 Rb (0.8361 Sb (0.9711 W (0.920), Zr (0.879) ; . however, three elements were positively associated (+) with the presence of depression: [element (EV)]: As (0.5361 Be (0.782), Sr (0.443). These results give strong support to the role of the combined subclinical chronic low level percutaneous absorption of enumerated elements in the etiology of depression. Since women are more inclined to decorate themselves with metal Jewelry, notably Ag, Au, Pt, they may be exposed to the greater risk of developing depression. More research is needed to elaborate the possible link of combined metal exposure (jewelry) to induce depression in women.

depression; hair; multielement profile; metal; ethiology

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