The role of adipokines in the inflammatory theory of depression: mechanisms and therapeutic applications.
- 1Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.
Abstract
Purpose
To demonstrate the link between excessive fat tissue and depression. To discuss the role of adipokines as a bridge connecting increased fat tissue with inflammatory processes which influence the development of depression.Views
Disruptions in the activity of adipokines, molecules secreted by adipose tissue, can significantly influence inflammatory responses by modulating the production and balance of both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines produced by immune cells. According to the inflammatory theory of depression, it is the chronic dysregulation of the Th1/Th2 immune response ratio, along with persistent low-grade inflammation, that together contribute to the development and persistence of depressive symptoms. Therefore, excessive amounts of adipose tissue and elevated adipokine secretion in patients appear to substantially increase the likelihood of depression.Conclusions
Research shows that elevated levels of pro-inflammatory adipokines, such as leptin and resistin, may be associated with depression by intensifying inflammatory processes in the brain and disrupting neurotransmitter balance. In contrast, adiponectin - a protein with anti-inflammatory properties - has a different effect. Determining the relationship between the amount of body fat in patients and depression may be useful for predicting and monitoring the progression of depression in individuals with excessive body weight. Early identification of depression risk in this group could enable timely medical intervention and treatment, potentially reducing dangerous behaviors and improving therapeutic outcomes.
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BibTeX
@article{oracz2026role,
title = {{The role of adipokines in the inflammatory theory of depression: mechanisms and therapeutic applications.}},
author = {Aleksandra J Oracz and Maria Suprunowicz and Emilia Turczyńska and Paulina Grzeszczuk and Dominika Zarzycka and Maria Qaheri and Beata Konarzewska},
journal = {Postepy psychiatrii neurologii},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.5114/ppn.2026.164932},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42898909},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - The role of adipokines in the inflammatory theory of depression: mechanisms and therapeutic applications.
AU - Aleksandra J Oracz
AU - Maria Suprunowicz
AU - Emilia Turczyńska
AU - Paulina Grzeszczuk
AU - Dominika Zarzycka
AU - Maria Qaheri
AU - Beata Konarzewska
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/22
JO - Postepy psychiatrii neurologii
DO - 10.5114/ppn.2026.164932
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42898909
AB - Purpose To demonstrate the link between excessive fat tissue and depression. To discuss the role of adipokines as a bridge connecting increased fat tissue with inflammatory processes which influence the development of depression.Views Disruptions in the activity of adipokines, molecules secreted by adipose tissue, can significantly influence inflammatory responses by modulating the production and balance of both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines produced by immune cells. According to the inflammatory theory of depression, it is the chronic dysregulation of the Th1/Th2 immune response ratio, along with persistent low-grade inflammation, that together contribute to the development and persistence of depressive symptoms. Therefore, excessive amounts of adipose tissue and elevated adipokine secretion in patients appear to substantially increase the likelihood of depression.Conclusions Research shows that elevated levels of pro-inflammatory adipokines, such as leptin and resistin, may be associated with depression by intensifying inflammatory processes in the brain and disrupting neurotransmitter balance. In contrast, adiponectin - a protein with anti-inflammatory properties - has a different effect. Determining the relationship between the amount of body fat in patients and depression may be useful for predicting and monitoring the progression of depression in individuals with excessive body weight. Early identification of depression risk in this group could enable timely medical intervention and treatment, potentially reducing dangerous behaviors and improving therapeutic outcomes.
SN - 1230-2813
SN - 2720-5371
ER -