The association between urinary antibiotics levels and the risk of adolescent depression

Abstract Antibiotics, through exposure via medication, food, and contaminated water, are recognized as risk factors for mental disorders in adolescents. This study aimed to evaluate the risks of antibiotic exposure in adolescents with depression. Sixty-two adolescents were divided into two groups ba...

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Main Authors: Yaling Jin, Xia Jin, Zhenhua Ge, Jianbiao Zhang, Yaqin Ding, Peijuan Wang, Jiancheng Qiu, Chao Liu, Zhenghui Yi, Ningwei Zhao, Ning Shen, Xuming Wu, Qi Yan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09687-4
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author Yaling Jin
Xia Jin
Zhenhua Ge
Jianbiao Zhang
Yaqin Ding
Peijuan Wang
Jiancheng Qiu
Chao Liu
Zhenghui Yi
Ningwei Zhao
Ning Shen
Xuming Wu
Qi Yan
author_facet Yaling Jin
Xia Jin
Zhenhua Ge
Jianbiao Zhang
Yaqin Ding
Peijuan Wang
Jiancheng Qiu
Chao Liu
Zhenghui Yi
Ningwei Zhao
Ning Shen
Xuming Wu
Qi Yan
author_sort Yaling Jin
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Antibiotics, through exposure via medication, food, and contaminated water, are recognized as risk factors for mental disorders in adolescents. This study aimed to evaluate the risks of antibiotic exposure in adolescents with depression. Sixty-two adolescents were divided into two groups based on their diagnoses: 32 in the healthy control group and 30 in the depression group. All urine samples were collected in the morning and subjected to urinary antibiotic analysis using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). Levels of four commonly used antibiotics—azithromycin, sulfadimidine, ofloxacin, and ampicillin—were measured in urine. The levels of all four antibiotics were significantly higher in the depression group and positively correlated with the HAMA score. Azithromycin (OR = 1.05, P = 0.002), sulfadimidine (OR = 1.22, P < 0.001), ofloxacin (OR = 3.79, P < 0.001), and ampicillin (OR = 352.57, P < 0.001) were risk factors for depression in adolescents. The ROC curve showed that the combination of all four urinary antibiotics exhibited the best performance in the prediction of the adolescent depression (AUC = 0.814, P < 0.001). Our study reveals antibiotic exposure is a modifiable risk factor for adolescent depression. Urinary antibiotic levels, particularly when combined, demonstrate potential as a screening tool for depression risk in adolescents.
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spelling doaj-art-eda484174c6e47c98c2fecd8389aa8732025-08-20T03:03:42ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-011511810.1038/s41598-025-09687-4The association between urinary antibiotics levels and the risk of adolescent depressionYaling Jin0Xia Jin1Zhenhua Ge2Jianbiao Zhang3Yaqin Ding4Peijuan Wang5Jiancheng Qiu6Chao Liu7Zhenghui Yi8Ningwei Zhao9Ning Shen10Xuming Wu11Qi Yan12Nantong 4th People’s Hospital, Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Nantong Mental Health CenterNantong Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nantong Children’s HospitalNantong 4th People’s Hospital, Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Nantong Mental Health CenterNantong 4th People’s Hospital, Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Nantong Mental Health CenterNantong 4th People’s Hospital, Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Nantong Mental Health CenterNantong 4th People’s Hospital, Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Nantong Mental Health CenterNantong 4th People’s Hospital, Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Nantong Mental Health CenterNantong 4th People’s Hospital, Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Nantong Mental Health CenterNantong 4th People’s Hospital, Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Nantong Mental Health CenterChina Exposomics Institute (CEI) Precision Medicine Co. LtdNantong 4th People’s Hospital, Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Nantong Mental Health CenterNantong 4th People’s Hospital, Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Nantong Mental Health CenterNantong 4th People’s Hospital, Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Nantong Mental Health CenterAbstract Antibiotics, through exposure via medication, food, and contaminated water, are recognized as risk factors for mental disorders in adolescents. This study aimed to evaluate the risks of antibiotic exposure in adolescents with depression. Sixty-two adolescents were divided into two groups based on their diagnoses: 32 in the healthy control group and 30 in the depression group. All urine samples were collected in the morning and subjected to urinary antibiotic analysis using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). Levels of four commonly used antibiotics—azithromycin, sulfadimidine, ofloxacin, and ampicillin—were measured in urine. The levels of all four antibiotics were significantly higher in the depression group and positively correlated with the HAMA score. Azithromycin (OR = 1.05, P = 0.002), sulfadimidine (OR = 1.22, P < 0.001), ofloxacin (OR = 3.79, P < 0.001), and ampicillin (OR = 352.57, P < 0.001) were risk factors for depression in adolescents. The ROC curve showed that the combination of all four urinary antibiotics exhibited the best performance in the prediction of the adolescent depression (AUC = 0.814, P < 0.001). Our study reveals antibiotic exposure is a modifiable risk factor for adolescent depression. Urinary antibiotic levels, particularly when combined, demonstrate potential as a screening tool for depression risk in adolescents.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09687-4Adolescent depressionUrinary antibioticsGut microbiotaBiomarkers
spellingShingle Yaling Jin
Xia Jin
Zhenhua Ge
Jianbiao Zhang
Yaqin Ding
Peijuan Wang
Jiancheng Qiu
Chao Liu
Zhenghui Yi
Ningwei Zhao
Ning Shen
Xuming Wu
Qi Yan
The association between urinary antibiotics levels and the risk of adolescent depression
Scientific Reports
Adolescent depression
Urinary antibiotics
Gut microbiota
Biomarkers
title The association between urinary antibiotics levels and the risk of adolescent depression
title_full The association between urinary antibiotics levels and the risk of adolescent depression
title_fullStr The association between urinary antibiotics levels and the risk of adolescent depression
title_full_unstemmed The association between urinary antibiotics levels and the risk of adolescent depression
title_short The association between urinary antibiotics levels and the risk of adolescent depression
title_sort association between urinary antibiotics levels and the risk of adolescent depression
topic Adolescent depression
Urinary antibiotics
Gut microbiota
Biomarkers
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09687-4
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