The effects of adiposity and alcohol use disorder on adipokines and biomarkers of inflammation in depressed patients

•In depressed patients, cytokines and adipokines are influenced by alcohol consumption and adiposity.•The changes occur in a gender-dependent manner.•Measurements of adipokines and cytokines may help in the follow-up of depressed patients. Patients with depression and alcohol use disorder frequently present with elevated markers of inflammation. Adipose tissue may function as a source for inflammation, yet the interplay between adiposity, alcohol use and depression has remained unknown. We examined 242 patients, referred to treatment for depressive symptoms, and followed for a period of 6 months. The assessments included screening for alcohol use and measurements of body mass index, serum adiponectin, leptin, resistin, progranulin, hs-CRP, IL-6 and MCP-1 at baseline and after 6 months of treatment. During follow-up, mean MADRS and AUDIT scores decreased significantly, whereas BMI increased. The changes in the levels of cytokines and adipokines were influenced by alcohol consumption and adiposity in a gender-dependent manner. The presence of AUD seemed to particularly influence the levels of cytokines. The levels of IL-6, hs-CRP, progranulin, and leptin differed between AUD and non-AUD groups at baseline, but no longer at 6 months. Baseline levels of leptin and resistin were higher in women and changes occurring in leptin, progranulin, and adiponectin were more notable in women. The data indicates significant gender-dependent interactions between depression, alcohol and mediators of inflammation, which should be considered in studies on the pathogenesis of depression and its comorbidities.