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Evaluation of the Association of Toll‐Like Receptor 4 and BMI with Postpartum Depressive Symptomatology
Author(s) -
Molkenthin Brittany A,
Judge Michelle P,
Young Erin E,
Beck Cheryl T
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.31.1_supplement.636.15
Subject(s) - edinburgh postnatal depression scale , postpartum depression , medicine , pregnancy , postpartum period , mood , tlr4 , depression (economics) , obstetrics , body mass index , gestation , obesity , inflammation , psychiatry , biology , genetics , macroeconomics , economics
Obesity has been associated with elevated Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression. An imbalance in TLR4 expression and increased inflammatory load may play a role in the regulation of mood and in the etiology of mood disturbances. This study was designed to explore the underlying correlations between maternal BMI, circulating TLR4, and postpartum depressive symptoms. This exploratory secondary analysis utilized existing samples (n=42) during pregnancy and postpartum periods. Maternal plasma samples were collected at 20, 36–38 weeks gestation, and 2 weeks postpartum. Existing plasma samples were used to quantify TLR4 using ELISA. The Postpartum Depression Screening Scale (PDSS) was used to evaluate depressive symptoms at four time points (2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months) during the postpartum period. Pregnancy BMI was positively correlated with average PDSS score (r = 0.352, p <0.05) across the four time points. TLR4 at 2 weeks postpartum was positively correlated with the PDSS score at 6 months postpartum, (r=0.396, p<0.05). TLR4 and PDSS scores were not significantly correlated at the 2 week, 6 week, or 3 month postpartum time points. Our findings suggest that higher pregnancy BMI and greater inflammatory activation may increase risk for postpartum depressive symptoms at 6 months postpartum. These preliminary findings indicate a need for further large‐scale study of the interrelationships between BMI, inflammation, and postpartum depressive symptoms in an effort to inform future development of precision medicine initiatives to predict, prevent, and treat postpartum depression. Support or Funding Information Donaghue Foundation, University of Connecticut Summer Undergraduate Fund