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Peripheral inflammatory cytokines and immune balance in Generalised Anxiety Disorder: case-controlled study

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Hou, Ruihua, Garner, Matthew, Holmes, Clive, Osmond, Clive, Teeling, Jessica, Lau, Laurie, Baldwin, David S.·2017·Brain, Behavior, and Immunity

Abstract

Introduction Previous investigations have demonstrated that major depression is associated with particular patterns of cytokine signalling. The primary aim of this study was to examine peripheral pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and immune balance in Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD).Methods A case-controlled cross-sectional study design was employed: 54 patients with GAD and 64 healthy controls were recruited. Participants completed self-report measures of anxiety and depression. Two pro-inflammatory and two anti-inflammatory cytokines were measured using multiplex technology.Results Case-control logistic regression analyses revealed significant differences in serum levels of IL-10, TNF-α, and IFN-γ between GAD and control groups after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, smoking and alcohol consumption: these group differences were independent of the presence or degree of depression. Comparison of pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory cytokine ratios indicated that there were significantly higher ratios of TNF-α/IL10, TNF-α/IL4, IFN-γ/IL10, and IFN-γ/IL4 in the GAD group compared to the control group.Conclusions This study is the first to investigate both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and their balance in patients with GAD in comparison to healthy controls. The findings indicate a relatively increased pro-inflammatory response and decreased anti-inflammatory response and provide the first demonstration of an altered cytokine balance in GAD. Serum cytokine levels in GAD were independent of the presence of depression.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.bbi.2017.01.021

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  1. [13]Kronfol Z Remick DG Cytokines and the Brain: Implications for Clinical Psychiatry Am J Psychiatry 2000 157 683 694 10784457
  2. [38]Müller N Schwarz MJ The immune-mediated alteration of serotonin and glutamate: towards an integrated view of depression Mol Psychiatry 2007 12 988 1000 17457312

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Authors
Hou, R., Garner, M., Holmes, C., Osmond, C., Teeling, J., Lau, L., & Baldwin, D. S.
Affiliations
  • University of Southampton (GB)
  • MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit (GB)
  • University of Cape Town (ZA)
Corresponding author
Hou, Ruihua
Venue
Brain, Behavior, and Immunity
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2017-05
Volume
62
Pages
212-218
ISSN
0889-1591 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2584247552
Cited by
191
References
80
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 22 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 27 · 2021: 28 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 4
FWCI
4.92
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Brain Behavior and Immunity (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • ePrints Soton (University of Southampton) (submittedVersion)
Funders
University of Southampton
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Vagus Nerve Stimulation Research
Keywords
generalized anxiety disorder, inflammatory cytokines, anti-inflammatory cytokines, immune homeostasis, TNF-α, IL-10, interferon-gamma, IL-4, cytokine ratios, depression, serum cytokine levels
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Anxiety, Anxiety Disorders, Cross-Sectional Studies, Depression, Female, Humans, Inflammation, Male, Middle Aged, Case-Control Studies, Cytokines, Inflammation Mediators, Young Adult, Self Report

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