Cited by 391Tryptophan and brain disordersTreatment of Major DepressionStress Responses and Cortisol

Increased serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels and treatment response in major depressive disorder

Tuglu, Cengiz, Kara, S. Hakan, Caliyurt, Okan, Vardar, Erdal, Abay, Ercan·2003·Psychopharmacology

Abstract

Rationale Over the last 15 years, an increasing body of evidence has suggested a causal relationship between depression and the immunological activation and hypersecretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). However, little is known about the probable relationship of serum TNF-alpha with major depressive disorder (MDD).Objective To assess whether serum TNF-alpha levels could be associated with the clinical course of MDD.Subjects and methods TNF-alpha and C-reactive protein (CRP) serum concentrations, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and leukocyte count were measured in 26 MDD patients and in 17 controls. The measurements were repeated following 6 weeks of antidepressant treatment with selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors. Psychopathological improvement and the severity of depression were evaluated with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).Results On admission, serum TNF-alpha and leukocyte count were significantly higher in MDD patients compared to controls ( P<0.001 and P=0.005, respectively). With the antidepressant treatment, both HAMD and BDI scores decreased significantly (P<0.001 for both). Comparison of pre- and post-treatment measurements revealed that TNF-alpha, CRP, and leukocyte count decreased to levels comparable with those of the control subjects ( P<0.001, P=0.01, and P=0.01, respectively).Conclusions The results emphasized that some immunological parameters, such as CRP, leukocyte count and TNF-alpha, are significantly involved in the clinical course and treatment response in MDD. TNF-alpha in particular could be considered as a potential state marker in MDD.

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Crossref · 10.1007/s00213-003-1566-z

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  • Anti-inflammatory action of SSRI and SNRIs has been hypothesized through which they can indirectly reduce depressive symptoms, although findings are still contradictory.

    “Indeed, anti-inflammatory action of SSRI and serotonin and noradrenaline inhibitors (SNRIs) has been hypothesized through which they can indirectly reduce depressive symptoms [124,125,126], even though the findings are still contradictory [77].”

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Authors
Tuglu, C., Kara, S. H., Caliyurt, O., Vardar, E., & Abay, E.
Affiliations
Trakya University (TR)
Venue
Psychopharmacology
Published
2003-12-01
Volume
170
Issue
4
Pages
429-433
ISSN
  • 0033-3158 (ISSN-L)
  • 1432-2072
OpenAlex
W2044508901
Cited by
391
References
40
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 19 · 2017: 17 · 2016: 29 · 2015: 29 · 2014: 24 · 2013: 23 · 2012: 28
FWCI
3.82
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Psychopharmacology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Trakya University's Institutional Open Access System (Trakya University) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
Keywords
major depressive disorder, TNF-α, C-reactive protein, white blood cell count, antidepressant response, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, inflammatory cytokines, depression biomarkers, immune activation
MeSH terms
Adult, Blood Sedimentation, C-Reactive Protein, Depressive Disorder, Female, Humans, Leukocyte Count, Male, Severity of Illness Index, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha, Case-Control Studies, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

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