FGF21 Is Associated with Metabolic Effects and Treatment Response in Depressed Bipolar II Disorder Patients Treated with Valproate

• Published in: The international journal of neuropsychopharmacology 2018-04, Vol.21 (4), p.319-324
• Main Authors: Chang, Hui Hua, Chen, Po See, Cheng, Yung Wen, Wang, Tzu-Yun, Yang, Yen Kuang, Lu, Ru-Band
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Antimanic Agents - administration & dosage; Antimanic Agents - pharmacology; Bipolar Disorder - blood; Bipolar Disorder - drug therapy; Bipolar Disorder - physiopathology; Body Weight - drug effects; Depressive Disorder, Major - blood; Depressive Disorder, Major - drug therapy; Depressive Disorder, Major - physiopathology; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Fibroblast Growth Factors - blood; Fibroblast Growth Factors - drug effects; Fluoxetine - pharmacology; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Outcome Assessment (Health Care); Regular s; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors - administration & dosage; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors - pharmacology; Valproic Acid - administration & dosage; Valproic Acid - pharmacology; Waist Circumference - drug effects; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1461-1457; 1469-5111
• DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyx093

Abstract Background Patients with bipolar disorder are at high risk of metabolic disturbance after mood stabilizer treatment. However, the mediators linking the two conditions remain unknown. In this study, we investigated whether fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF21) was associated with metabolic effects and treatment response in depressed bipolar disorder patients. Methods We recruited 78 community-dwelling controls and 137 bipolar disorder patients; the latter were interviewed using the Chinese Version of the Modified Schedule of Affective Disorder and Schizophrenia–Life Time. Upon study entry, the bipolar disorder patients were all in a major depressive status, with 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) scores >15. They received valproate (500–1000 mg daily) for 12 weeks, and fluoxetine 20 mg daily was permitted to treat depressive symptoms. Fasting plasma level of FGF21, lipid profiles, and body weight were collected at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment. Results At baseline, the demographic characteristics, FGF21 level, and metabolic indices did not differ significantly between the controls and bipolar disorder patients. After 12 weeks of treatment, the FGF21 level (167.7±122.0 to 207.1±162.3 pg/mL, P=.001), body weight and waist circumference had increased significantly (P