ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN VARIATIONS IN TPH1, TPH2
AND SLC6A4 GENES AND POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION:
A STUDY IN THE JORDANIAN POPULATION
Khabour OF1, Amarneh BH2, Bani Hani EA3, Lataifeh IM4
*Corresponding Author: Dr. Omar F. Khabour, Associate Professor of Molecular Genetics, Department of Medical
Laboratory, Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, PO Box 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan; Tel.:
+962-2-720-1000 ext. 23784; Fax: +962-2-720-1087; E-mail: khabour@just.edu.jo
page: 41
|
|
DISCUSSION
Serotonin has been shown to be involved in
many physiological and behavioral processes, including:
mood, sleep and cognation [3]. In addition,
alterations in the serotonergic system have been implicated
in many neuropsychiatric disorders such as
aggressive, suicidal behavior and depression [4,25].
In this study, we investigated the role of variations
in SLC6A4, TPH1 and TPH2 genes with depression
in Jordanian women during the postpartum period.
The results presented in this study reveal lack
of association between the TPH1 polymorphism and
PPD in the examined sample. In agreement with our
results, Frisch et al. [26] found no association between
the TPH1 polymorphism and unipolar affective
disorder including depression. Similar results
were reported by Serretti et al. [27] who failed to
find any association between this polymorphism and
mood disorders. In contrast, Sun et al. [28] reported
significant association between the TPH1 gene polymorphism
with depression, anxiety, and comorbid
depression and anxiety in Taiwanese women during
the postpartum period. In addition Porter et al. [22]
reported an association between TPH1 and reduced
tryptophan levels in females but not in males and the
subsequent predisposition to depression.
The results also showed absence of association
between the SLC6A4 (L/S) polymorphism and depression
in postpartum Jordanian women. In agreement
with our results, Middledorp et al. [24] suggested that
SLC6A4 (L/S) has no direct association with neuroticism,
anxiety and depression in The Netherlands. In
addition, another two studies comprising 5,262 subjects
failed to find any association between the S allele
and stressful life events of social adversity [29,30].
However, a Spanish study found association between
the L allele and PPD [31]. Moreover, evidence pointing
to a correlation between the S allele and increased risk
of depression was found in females who had experienced
chronic diseases [32]. Thus, association between
examined polymorphisms and PPD might have a population-
specific component being affected by genetic
background and/or associated with certain conditions.
In the study sample, approximately 35.0% of
women scored 13 or higher on the EPDS. Slightly
lower prevalence rates were reported in other Arab
countries including Dubai (17.8%) and Beirut (16.0%)
[33,34]. A recent review of 143 studies comprising
40 countries has shown that the PPD rate may reach
up to 60.0%, especially in a low income population
[34]. Thus, Jordan is ranked in the middle in countries
in the prevalence of PPD. The result of the present study showed that
depression history, income level and pregnancy
complications were associated with PPD. This is in
agreement with O’Hara et al. [35] and Beck et al. [2]
who found a strong association between depression
history and economic status with developing PPD.
In addition Rich-Edward et al. [36] considered depression
history as the most powerful risk factor in
developing PPD. Moreover, high prevalence rates
of PPD (25.0-50.0%) was reported in a low income
population [37]. Finally, some studies related PPD
to the mother’s health [38] and pregnancy problems
[35]. The lack of association with other examined
factors is consistent with previous studies that failed
to find an association between PPD and maternal age,
educational level [2,35], marital status [39,40], baby
gender [41], delivery mode [40], breast-feeding and
employment [36]. These results could be explained
by a stable marital relationships as almost all participants
were married and most of them were educated.
In addition, the majority of them were homemakers
and had enough time to do their work at home and
take care of their children.
Postpartum depression is a complex disorder,
which likely results from a combination between
genetics as well as environmental factors. The contribution
of environmental factors has stronger influence
on PPD than genetics as the degree of PPD
heritability seems to be weak [42]. Thus, the stronger
influence of environmental factors on PPD might
cover or minimize the weaker genetic effect. In addition,
it is possible that we have other polymorphisms
across the genes in the Jordanian population, which
in turn, might modulate the effect of the studied polymorphisms.
Therefore, additional molecular genetic
studies are needed to screen possible modifier polymorphisms
under the influence of environmental and
other hormonal effectors.
In conclusion, the results of this study indicate
that SLC6A4 (L/S) and TPH1 variations are not associated
with the development of PPD in Jordanian
women. In addition, the TPH2 A allele was absent
in the examined population.
|
|
|
|
 |
Number 27
VOL. 27 (2), 2024 |
Number 27
VOL. 27 (1), 2024 |
Number 26
Number 26 VOL. 26(2), 2023 All in one |
Number 26
VOL. 26(2), 2023 |
Number 26
VOL. 26, 2023 Supplement |
Number 26
VOL. 26(1), 2023 |
Number 25
VOL. 25(2), 2022 |
Number 25
VOL. 25 (1), 2022 |
Number 24
VOL. 24(2), 2021 |
Number 24
VOL. 24(1), 2021 |
Number 23
VOL. 23(2), 2020 |
Number 22
VOL. 22(2), 2019 |
Number 22
VOL. 22(1), 2019 |
Number 22
VOL. 22, 2019 Supplement |
Number 21
VOL. 21(2), 2018 |
Number 21
VOL. 21 (1), 2018 |
Number 21
VOL. 21, 2018 Supplement |
Number 20
VOL. 20 (2), 2017 |
Number 20
VOL. 20 (1), 2017 |
Number 19
VOL. 19 (2), 2016 |
Number 19
VOL. 19 (1), 2016 |
Number 18
VOL. 18 (2), 2015 |
Number 18
VOL. 18 (1), 2015 |
Number 17
VOL. 17 (2), 2014 |
Number 17
VOL. 17 (1), 2014 |
Number 16
VOL. 16 (2), 2013 |
Number 16
VOL. 16 (1), 2013 |
Number 15
VOL. 15 (2), 2012 |
Number 15
VOL. 15, 2012 Supplement |
Number 15
Vol. 15 (1), 2012 |
Number 14
14 - Vol. 14 (2), 2011 |
Number 14
The 9th Balkan Congress of Medical Genetics |
Number 14
14 - Vol. 14 (1), 2011 |
Number 13
Vol. 13 (2), 2010 |
Number 13
Vol.13 (1), 2010 |
Number 12
Vol.12 (2), 2009 |
Number 12
Vol.12 (1), 2009 |
Number 11
Vol.11 (2),2008 |
Number 11
Vol.11 (1),2008 |
Number 10
Vol.10 (2), 2007 |
Number 10
10 (1),2007 |
Number 9
1&2, 2006 |
Number 9
3&4, 2006 |
Number 8
1&2, 2005 |
Number 8
3&4, 2004 |
Number 7
1&2, 2004 |
Number 6
3&4, 2003 |
Number 6
1&2, 2003 |
Number 5
3&4, 2002 |
Number 5
1&2, 2002 |
Number 4
Vol.3 (4), 2000 |
Number 4
Vol.2 (4), 1999 |
Number 4
Vol.1 (4), 1998 |
Number 4
3&4, 2001 |
Number 4
1&2, 2001 |
Number 3
Vol.3 (3), 2000 |
Number 3
Vol.2 (3), 1999 |
Number 3
Vol.1 (3), 1998 |
Number 2
Vol.3(2), 2000 |
Number 2
Vol.1 (2), 1998 |
Number 2
Vol.2 (2), 1999 |
Number 1
Vol.3 (1), 2000 |
Number 1
Vol.2 (1), 1999 |
Number 1
Vol.1 (1), 1998 |
|
|
