Cited by 240Stress Responses and CortisolPosttraumatic Stress Disorder ResearchAdrenal Hormones and Disorders

Low cortisol, high DHEA, and high levels of stimulated TNF‐α, and IL‐6 in women with PTSD

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Gill, Jessica, Vythilingam, Meena, Page, Gayle G.·2008·Journal of Traumatic Stress

Abstract

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been associated with hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and immune function alterations; however, few studies have simultaneously investigated these systems in participants with PTSD. In this study, HPA axis and immune function in 26 women with PTSD with and without major depressive disorder was compared to 24 traumatized controls and to 21 nontraumatized controls. Posttraumatic stress disorder was associated with low cortisol and higher levels of DHEA and greater production of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) compared to traumatized and healthy controls. Women with PTSD and depression exhibited greater production of IL‐6 and higher levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) than those with PTSD, but without depression. These findings suggest dysregulated HPA axis and immune function in women with PTSD, and that comorbid depression may contribute to these abnormalities.

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  • Production of circulating cytokines in response to an immune challenge is altered in individuals with PTSD such that production of pro-inflammatory markers is increased and production of anti-inflammatory markers is decreased.

    “The production of circulating cytokines in response to an immune challenge is also altered in individuals with PTSD such that production of pro-inflammatory markers is increased and production of anti-inflammatory markers is decreased.”

    From Inflammation in Fear- and Anxiety-Based Disorders: PTSD, GAD, and Beyond (2017) · cites this paper as Gill et al, 2008

    The Results (Immune System Measures; page unavailable) report greater stimulated whole-blood production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 in women with PTSD than in both control groups. The Methods (Procedures; page unavailable) list the cytokines measured, but do not include anti-inflammatory cytokines; the reported decrease in salivary sIgA is not evidence of decreased production of anti-inflammatory cytokines in response to stimulation. The study also does not establish this pattern across individuals with PTSD generally. (LLM, conf=0.90)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Ex vivo administration of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) results in heightened increases in TNF-α and IL-6 secretion in individuals with PTSD compared with traumatized and non-traumatized controls.

    “Ex vivo administration of phytohemagglutinin (PHA), a potent inducer of cytokine production from T cells, to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) results in heightened increases in TNF-α and IL-6 secretion in individuals with PTSD compared with traumatized and non-traumatized controls (Gill et al, 2008).”

    From Inflammation in Fear- and Anxiety-Based Disorders: PTSD, GAD, and Beyond (2017) · cites this paper as Gill et al, 2008

    The Results (Immune System Measures; page not provided) report greater stimulated TNF-α and IL-6 production in women with PTSD than in both trauma and nontrauma controls. But the Methods (Procedures; page not provided) describe diluted whole blood stimulated with PHA plus LPS, not isolated PBMCs treated with PHA alone. The claim also generalizes a finding in women to individuals with PTSD. (LLM, conf=0.90)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

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Authors
Gill, J., Vythilingam, M., & Page, G. G.
Affiliations
  • National Institutes of Health (US)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (US)
  • Johns Hopkins University (US)
Corresponding author
Gill, Jessica
Venue
Journal of Traumatic Stress
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2008-12
Volume
21
Issue
6
Pages
530-539
ISSN
  • 0894-9867 (ISSN-L)
  • 1573-6598
OpenAlex
W2063694580
Cited by
240
References
64
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 30 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 21 · 2015: 20 · 2014: 14 · 2013: 24 · 2012: 14
FWCI
4.77
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Traumatic Stress (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • U.S. Public Health Service (8326927)
  • National Institute of Nursing Research (F31NR009166, T32NR007968, T32NR07968)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Adrenal Hormones and Disorders
Keywords
post-traumatic stress disorder, cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone, TNF-α, interleukin-6, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, immune function, major depressive disorder, women, comorbidities, trauma
MeSH terms
Adult, Dehydroepiandrosterone, Female, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Interviews as Topic, Middle Aged, Saliva, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha, Baltimore, Interleukin-6

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