Associations of Serum Uric Acid and SLC2A9 Variant with Depressive and Anxiety Disorders: A Population-Based Study

Tanica Lyngdoh,Peter Vollenweider,Gerard Waeber,Jennifer Glaus,Martin Preisig,Enrique Castelao,Murielle Bochud,Chunyu Liu

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0076336

Tanica Lyngdoh, Peter Vollenweider + Show 6 more

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0076336

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Abstract

BackgroundLimited information exists regarding the association between serum uric acid (SUA) and psychiatric disorders. We explored the relationship between SUA and subtypes of major depressive disorder (MDD) and specific anxiety disorders. Additionally, we examined the association of SLC2A9 rs6855911 variant with anxiety disorders.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional analysis on 3,716 individuals aged 35–66 years previously selected for the population-based CoLaus survey and who agreed to undergo further psychiatric evaluation. SUA was measured using uricase-PAP method. The French translation of the semi-structured Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies was used to establish lifetime and current diagnoses of depression and anxiety disorders according to the DSM-IV criteria.ResultsMen reported significantly higher levels of SUA compared to women (357±74 µmol/L vs. 263±64 µmol/L). The prevalence of lifetime and current MDD was 44% and 18% respectively while the corresponding estimates for any anxiety disorders were 18% and 10% respectively. A quadratic hockey-stick shaped curve explained the relationship between SUA and social phobia better than a linear trend. However, with regards to the other specific anxiety disorders and other subtypes of MDD, there was no consistent pattern of association. Further analyses using SLC2A9 rs6855911 variant, known to be strongly associated with SUA, supported the quadratic relationship observed between SUA phenotype and social phobia.ConclusionsA quadratic relationship between SUA and social phobia was observed consistent with a protective effect of moderately elevated SUA on social phobia, which disappears at higher concentrations. Further studies are needed to confirm our observations.

Highlights

Uric acid, a key end-product of purine metabolism, has a controversial role in human physiology acting potentially both as a pro-oxidant and selective antioxidant depending on its environmental milieu
Though studies examining the role of serum uric acid (SUA) in affective disorders like major depressive disorder (MDD) and anxiety disorders are scant, the available evidence suggests a protective role of SUA in both depression [7,8,9] and anxiety [10]
Study population Current analyses are performed within the PsyCoLaus study which is the psychiatric arm of the CoLaus study, a populationbased study that assessed cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and genetic variants associated with these conditions in Lausanne, Switzerland

Summary

Introduction

A key end-product of purine metabolism, has a controversial role in human physiology acting potentially both as a pro-oxidant and selective antioxidant depending on its environmental milieu. While its role as a pro-oxidant in cardio-metabolic and cardiovascular diseases is well established, it has been observed that subjects with elevated serum uric acid (SUA) have lower prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease [1,2,3,4]. Such a neuroprotective effect of SUA could be attributed to its antioxidant properties. We examined the association of SLC2A9 rs6855911 variant with anxiety disorders

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