Abstract: Objective To investigate the association of serum level of macro-elements （calcium and magnesium） and trace elements （copper,iron,manganese,selenium,and zinc） with depression of patients. Methods Two hundred and forty seven patients were enrolled and 248 healthy volunteers,matched by age and sex,were taken as control. The serum levels of macro-minerals and trace elements were detected by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Statistical analysis was performed with independent sample t-tests and Pearson's correlation test. Results Significantly decreased concentrations of calcium and magnesium,iron,manganese,selenium,and zinc were found （P<0.05）,while copper notably increased （P<0.05） in the depressive patients compared with the control. Positive correlations of Mn with Mg （r=0.168,P=0.011） and Mg with Se （r=0.157,P=0.014） were seen in patients while negative correlations of Mn with Zn （r=-0.187,P=0.006）,Mn with Cu （r=-0.164,P=0.008）,and Cu with Se （r=-0.152,P=0.007） were noted. The persons in the control group showed significant positive correlations of Mn with Mg （r=0.281,P<0.001） but negative correlations of Mn with Cu （r=-0.284,P<0.001） and Cu with Mg （r=-0.624,P<0.001）. Conclusion Our study suggests that altered serum concentrations of macro-minerals and trace elements are major factors that may contribute to the pathogenesis of depression and may help for assessment of depression risk.

Key words: Depression, Macroelement, Trace element, Case-control study