The inflammatory response following delivery is amplified in women who previously suffered from major depression, suggesting that major depression is accompanied by a sensitization of the inflammatory response system
Abstract
Background There is now evidence that some patients with major depression show an activation of the inflammatory response system (IRS). This study was carried out to examine whether major depression may induce sensitization with increased IRS responses to the stress of child birth.Methods Serum concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), the soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R), sgp130 (the IL-6 signal transducing protein) and the sIL-1R antagonist (sIL-1RA) were determined in 16 and 50 women with and without a lifetime history of major depression, respectively. Blood was collected 3-6 days before delivery and 1 and 3 days after delivery. On each occasion the women completed the Zung Depression Rating Scale (ZDS).Results Serum IL-6, sIL-6R, sIL-1RA were significantly higher 1 and 3 days after delivery than before. Women who had suffered from a lifetime history of major depression had greater increases in serum IL-6 and sIL-1RA in the early puerperium than women without a lifetime history. Women who had suffered from a lifetime history of major depression had significantly higher IL-6, and sIL-1RA concentrations 1 and 3 days after delivery than women with a negative life-time history.Conclusions The responses of IL-6 and sIL-1RA following delivery are amplified in women who previously suffered from major depression. The results suggest that major depression is accompanied by a sensitization of the IRS.
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Stress and depression can permanently alter the responsiveness of the immune system.
“Stress and depression can permanently alter the responsiveness of the immune system (41-44).”
From Chronic stress and age-related increases in the proinflammatory cytokine IL-6. (2003) · cites this paper as [44]
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- Authors
- Maes, M., Ombelet, W., De Jongh, Kenis, G., & Bosmans, E.
- Affiliations
- Maastricht University Medical Centre (NL)
- Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg (BE)
- Venue
- Journal of Affective Disorders
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2001-03
- Volume
- 63
- Issue
- 1-3
- Pages
- 85-92
- ISSN
- 0165-0327 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1971424322
- Cited by
- 116
- References
- 48
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 8
- FWCI
- 0.72
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Affective Disorders (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Keywords
- major depressive disorder, childbirth, postpartum period, interleukin-6, soluble IL-6 receptor, sgp130, sensitization, maternal depression, postpartum inflammation
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Antibody Formation, Depressive Disorder, Female, Humans, Inflammation, Labor, Obstetric, Medical History Taking, Pregnancy, Interleukin-6, Receptors, Interleukin-1, Postpartum Period
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