Cytokine production and treatment response in major depressive disorder
In a controlled study, such immunological parameters as whole blood production of the cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor-necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were assessed in 24 inpatients with a major depressive disorder (MDD) both before and again under treatment. After a 6-week treatment perio...
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Published in | Neuropsychopharmacology (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 22; no. 4; pp. 370 - 379 |
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Main Authors | , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
New York, NY
Nature Publishing
01.04.2000
Nature Publishing Group |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | In a controlled study, such immunological parameters as whole blood production of the cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor-necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were assessed in 24 inpatients with a major depressive disorder (MDD) both before and again under treatment. After a 6-week treatment period with amitriptyline, patients were classified as responders or nonresponders according to their psychopathological outcome as evaluated by the Hamilton and the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scales. Pre-treatment levels of c-reactive protein (CRP) were significantly higher in both patient subgroups than in the control subjects. In comparison to the controls, unstimulated pretreatment production of IL-6 was significantly decreased in the responders; whereas it was significantly increased in the nonresponder subgroup. Post-treatment values did not differ significantly among the patient and control groups. Pretreatment levels of TNF-alpha were increased in both patient subgroups, with a significant decrease during treatment only in the responder subgroup. Pretreatment levels of IL-6/10(5) mononuclear cells and the ratio between lymphocytes and monocytes acted as independent variables with regard to the clinical response. Our data indicate that unstimulated secretion of TNF-alpha is related to the psychopathological improvement; whereas, IL-6 levels might dichotomize the patients into subsequent responders and nonresponders already at admission. |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-2 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-1 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 0893-133X 1740-634X |
DOI: | 10.1016/s0893-133x(99)00134-7 |