The potential biological mechanisms of obesity effects on depression: A systematic review of the literature and knowledge mining

Abstract

Depression and obesity (BMI ≥ 30) have been recognized as major public health issues worldwide. Although they have traditionally been compartmentalized as separate physical and emotional health conditions, evidence has suggested interactions and common pathways between them, implying that they probably shared common underlying biological mechanisms. By a systematic review of the literature and knowledge mining, we explore a potential biological mechanism of obesity effects on depression. Bioactivators in the body of obesity including adiponectin, leptin and its receptors, ghrelin, endocannabinoids and orexin receptors may contribute to depression by the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis, psycho-neuro-immunological system, neurovegetative system and brain areas control of mood and emotion such as hippocampus, cortex and amygdala.

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Gong, Y. , Wang, D. , Zhang, X. , Qu, Z. , Liu, P. and Zou, H. (2013) The potential biological mechanisms of obesity effects on depression: A systematic review of the literature and knowledge mining. Health, 5, 1811-1818. doi: 10.4236/health.2013.511244.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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