Analysis of Plasma Zinc and Copper Concentration, and Perceived Symptoms, in Individuals with Depression, Post Zinc and Anti-Oxidant Therapy

• Published in: Nutrition and Metabolic Insights Vol. 2011; no. 2011; pp. 19 - 27
• Main Author: Russo, A.J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England Libertas Academica 01-01-2011; SAGE Publishing; SAGE Publications; Sage Publications Ltd. (UK); Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Care and treatment; Copper in the body; Depression, Mental; Dietary supplements; Health aspects; Original Research; Physiological aspects; Zinc in the body; United States; GABA; Cu; depression; Zn
• ISSN: 1178-6388; 1178-6388
• DOI: 10.4137/NMI.S6760

Aim
To assess plasma Zn and Cu levels in individuals with depression.
Subjects and Methods
Plasma from 73 clinically depressed individuals, 38 individuals with anxiety and 16 controls were tested for plasma Zn and Cu concentration using inductively-coupled plasma-mass spectrometry.
Results
Depressed individuals, with and without secondary anxiety, had decreased plasma Zn and elevated plasma Cu compared to controls. Zn normalized (increased to the level of normal controls) but Cu increased in individuals with depression (with and without secondary anxiety), after Zn therapy, whereas both plasma Zn increased and Cu levels decreased in anxiety, with and without secondary depression, after Zn therapy. Individuals with depression, with and without secondary anxiety, had significantly higher symptom severity when compared to neurotypical controls. Symptom severity in individuals with anxiety (both with and without secondary depression) significantly decreased after Zn therapy, whereas symptoms remained the same in individuals with primary depression.
Discussion
These data show an association between Zn and Cu plasma levels and clinically depressed individuals, and suggest that high Cu levels are associated with high symptom severity.