Possible Impact of Depression on Lipid Profile Indices and Intestinal Fatty Acid Binding Proteins in Newly Diagnosed Hypertensive Individuals in NAUTH, Nnewi, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Depression and hypertension are significant global health concerns, both of which have been implicated in metabolic disorders, including dyslipidemia. This study investigates the potential impact of depression on intestinal fatty acid-binding proteins (I-FABP) and lipid profile indices in newly diagonised hypertensive individuals in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A total of 121 participants were categorized into four groups: hypertensive individuals with depression (Group A, n=30), hypertensive individuals without depression (Group B, n=31), non-hypertensive depressive individuals (Group C, n=30), and healthy controls (Group D, n=30). Anthropometric measurements and biochemical assays were conducted to evaluate lipid profile indices and I-FABP levels using enzymatic colorimetric and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods. Results: The results revealed significantly higher systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure and Body mass index (BMI) in hypertensive with and without depression compared to depressive and control paticipants  (p<0.05 respectively). Total cholesterol (TC), Triglycerides (TG) and Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were significantly increased while high density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly higher in hypertersive with and without depression compared to control participants (p<0.05 respectively). Intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) was significantly higher in depressive individuals  compared to both hypertensive individuals and controls (p=0.001 respectively). Conclusion: the significantly altered lipid  function indices and intestinal fatty acid-binding proteins (I-FABP) observed may contribute to cardiovascular and gastrointestinal complications in these populations.

Keywords: Hypertension, Depression, Intestinal Fatty Acid Binding Proteins, Dyslipidemia Nigeria