Cited by 372Stress Responses and CortisolTryptophan and brain disordersTreatment of Major Depression

Major depression is associated with significant diurnal elevations in plasma interleukin-6 levels, a shift of its circadian rhythm, and loss of physiological complexity in its secretion: clinical implications

Alesci, Salvatore, Martinez, Pedro E., Kelkar, Sujata, Ilias, Ioannis, Ronsaville, Donna S., Listwak, Samuel J., Ayala, Alejandro R., Licinio, Julio +4 more·2005·The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with increased risk for premature coronary heart disease and bone loss. Single time measurements of plasma IL-6, a good predictor of future risk for both cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis, revealed significant elevations in depressed patients. The objective of this study was to rigorously compare plasma IL-6 levels, measured over 24 h, in MDD patients and healthy controls. Given the activating role of IL-6 on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and the relevance of its dysregulation in MDD, we also analyzed the relations between IL-6 and cortisol levels. METHODS: We studied nine patients and nine controls, individually matched by gender, age (+/-5 yr), body mass index (+/-2 kg/m2), and menstrual cycle phase. Diagnosis of MDD was confirmed by structured clinical interview based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Axis I diagnostic criteria. Self-reported mood ratings were assessed by multiple visual analog scales. The rhythmicity and complexity of IL-6 and cortisol secretion were tested by cosinor analyses, approximate entropy (ApEn) and cross-ApEn algorithms. RESULTS: MDD patients had significant mean IL-6 elevations from 1000-1200 h and at 1500 h (P ranging from <0.05 to <0.01) vs. controls. In addition, in MDD, the circadian rhythm of IL-6 was shifted by 12 h, and its physiological complexity was reduced, with no difference in the cross-ApEn of IL-6 and cortisol between the two groups, and significant time-lagged correlations only in the controls. IL-6 levels correlated significantly with mood ratings. CONCLUSIONS: We report profound morning elevations of plasma IL-6 and a reversal of its circadian rhythm in MDD patients, in the absence of hypercortisolism. These findings may be relevant to the increased risk for coronary heart disease and bone loss in MDD.

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Crossref · 10.1210/jc.2004-1667

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Authors
Alesci, S., Martinez, P. E., Kelkar, S., Ilias, I., Ronsaville, D. S., Listwak, S. J., Ayala, A. R., Licinio, J., Gold, H. K., Kling, M. A., Chrousos, G. P., & Gold, P. W.
Affiliations
  • National Institutes of Health (US)
  • Massachusetts General Hospital (US)
Corresponding author
Alesci, Salvatore
Venue
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
Published
2005-05
Volume
90
Issue
5
Pages
2522-2530
ISSN
  • 0021-972X (ISSN-L)
  • 1945-7197
OpenAlex
W2109668208
Cited by
372
References
59
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 19 · 2017: 24 · 2016: 24 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 19 · 2013: 19 · 2012: 25
FWCI
8.82
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Institute of Mental Health
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
Keywords
major depressive disorder, interleukin-6, circadian rhythm, cortisol, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, approximate entropy, physiological complexity, mood, coronary heart disease risk, bone loss
MeSH terms
Adult, Circadian Rhythm, Major Depressive Disorder, Female, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Male, Middle Aged, Pain Measurement, Interleukin-6

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