Decreased Levels of Vitamin D in Bipolar Patients.

Recently, vitamin D is considered a pleiotropic hormone, and as such, it has also become a topic of renewed interest in neuropsychiatry for its proposed role in the aetiology and pathophysiology of different psychiatric conditions, including mood disorders (MDs). This seems particularly crucial while considering the relatively high and often neglected prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in the general population and in specific groups, such as patients suffering from the most common type of MDs, which are major depression (MDD) and bipolar disorders (BDs). Therefore, in view of the controversial literature and findings on this topic and its potential therapeutic implications, the present study aimed at evaluating vitamin D levels in the plasma of a sample of inpatients fulfilling the DSM-5 criteria for mood episodes within BDs. The clinical picture was assessed by means of specific rating scales. The results showed that the vitamin D levels (mean ± SD, nM/L) of the bipolar patients of our sample were significantly lower (14.58 ± 11.27 nmol/L) than the normative values (>30 nmol/L). Eleven patients had sufficient values and only 4 had optimal, while 19 showed insufficient, 18 critical, and 17 severely critical levels. No differences emerged according to different socio-demographic or clinical features. In our opinion, the present findings strengthen previous research highlighting decreased vitamin D levels in bipolar patients and support the role of this pleiotropic hormone in BDs. Nevertheless, further studies should follow to corroborate the data of this preliminary study and to address the potential benefits of vitamin D supplementation in the treatment of MDs.

Vitamin B12, homocysteine, and folic acid in patients suffering from bipolar disorders: Relationship with suicide.

OBJECTIVES: Vitamin B12, folic acid, and homocysteine play a key role in 'one-carbon metabolism', involved in different brain processes. Altered levels have been reported in mood disorders (MDs), particularly in major depression (MDD), while the information in bipolar disorders (BDs) is limited. The present study aimed at assessing vitamin B12, homocysteine, and folic acid in 69 bipolar inpatients. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients were diagnosed with BDI, 15 BDII, 16 schizoaffective disorders, and 11 MDD, according to DSM-5 criteria. The clinical picture was assessed by the MINI, HRSD, YMRS, and CGI. The blood parameters were measured according to common clinical-chemical methods. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients had significantly lower vitamin B12, and 14 higher homocysteine levels than normative values. Folic acid levels were normal in the majority of the sample. Patients with a family history of suicide showed significantly lower levels of vitamin B12. CONCLUSIONS: Our results underline the utility of assessing vitamin B12, homocysteine, and folic acid in patients with BD. Although other studies are necessary, the present findings that lower levels of vitamin B12 seem typical of patients with a family history of suicide independently from the phase of illness suggest that they might constitute a possible predictor of suicide.

Inflammatory and metabolic markers in patients with mood disorders.

OBJECTIVES: An increasing bulk of data underlined that mood disorders show alterations that are not confined to the brain, but involve several other systems. The aim of this retrospective study was to explore metabolic/inflammatory profiles, blood pressure, and BMI in patients affected by bipolar disorders (BDs) to better understand the role of peripheral biomarkers in mood disorders. METHODS: Different metabolic/inflammatory parameters and clinical characteristics were evaluated in 97 BD inpatients from Sicily, a southern Italian region, and compared with normative values from the same area. RESULTS: No difference was detected between the assessed parameters and the normative values, or between treated and untreated patients. Interestingly, the mean acid uric levels were at the lowest extreme of the normative values, with men showing higher concentrations than women. CONCLUSIONS: No metabolic nor inflammatory alterations emerged in BD patients, even if when obese. A possible explanation might be due to their geographical origin, with culinary traditions based on the Mediterranean diet. Therefore, it would be interesting to ascertain whether such a diet might improve the metabolic impairment often associated with mood disorders. Again, the routine assessment of different clinical/chemistry parameters might be helpful to improve the diagnostic stratification and the personalised treatment.

State-of-the-Art: Inflammatory and Metabolic Markers in Mood Disorders.

Mounting evidence highlights the involvement of inflammatory/immune systems and their relationships with neurotransmitters and different metabolic processes in mood disorders. Nevertheless, there is a general agreement that available findings are still inconclusive. Therefore, further investigations are required, aimed at deepening the role of possible alterations of biomarkers in the pathophysiology of mood disorders that might lead to more focused and tailored treatments. The present study is a comprehensive review on these topics that seem to represent intriguing avenues for the development of real innovative therapeutic strategies of mood disorders.