Work

Distinct Biomarker Patterns Reveal Metabolic–Inflammatory Profiles Across Mental Disorders

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Mental disorders, including anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder, are frequently associated with metabolic, inflammatory, and behavioral alterations that modulate their clinical expression and increase the risk of physical comorbidities. This cross-sectional study aimed to characterize the profile of inflammatory, metabolic, and cardiac biomarkers in individuals with mental disorders compared to healthy controls, also considering anthropometric and lifestyle indicators. Fifty volunteers were evaluated and distributed into four groups: control, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. All participants completed the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale—21 items (DASS-21) and underwent blood collection for the assessment of inflammatory biomarkers such as C-Reactive Protein and its high-sensitivity detection (CRP/hs-CRP), Interleukins (IL-6, IL-1β) and Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α), metabolic biomarkers (vitamin D, cortisol, and D-dimer), and cardiac biomarkers such as N-terminal pro-B-type Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP), Creatine Kinase—MB (CK-MB), troponin I (cTnI), and myoglobin (Myo). The results showed a significantly higher body mass index (BMI) in clinical groups, particularly in groups with anxiety and depression. Biomarker analyses revealed significant differences in groups with mental disorders. Elevated levels of CRP (p = 0.0038), hs-CRP (p = 0.0048), and IL-6 (p = 0.0030) were identified in the anxiety group, while the depression group was characterized by reduced vitamin D levels (p = 0.0302). Individuals with bipolar disorder presented significantly higher levels of CK-MB (p = 0.0016), CRP (p < 0.0001), IL-6 (p = 0.0198), and IL-1β (p = 0.0067). It was also observed that most individuals with mental disorders did not engage in physical activity. This inactivity was associated with worse emotional scores, higher systemic inflammation, and vitamin D deficiency. These findings reinforce the existence of an integrated axis between metabolism, inflammation, and behavior, in which excess weight, sedentary lifestyle, and nutritional deficiencies synergistically contribute to the maintenance of psychiatric symptoms and metabolic vulnerability. Integrating biomarkers, BMI, and behavioral factors may aid in identifying clinical subphenotypes and guiding more precise and individualized therapeutic strategies.

Source: Biomolecules

DOI: 10.3390/biom16020260