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Cited by 224Tryptophan and brain disordersTreatment of Major DepressionStress Responses and Cortisol

Changes in the serum levels of inflammatory cytokines in antidepressant drug-naïve patients with major depression

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Zou, Wei, Feng, Renjie, Yang, Yuan·2018·PLOS ONE
DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0197267PMC PMC5983476
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Abstract

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common condition that afflicts the general population across a broad spectrum of ages and social backgrounds. The inflammatory hypothesis of depression posits that immune hyperactivation and dysregulated cytokine production are involved in depression. To investigate cytokine profiles in patients with MDD, we examined the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and those of the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in antidepressant drug-naïve patients with MDD. Compared to healthy controls, patients with MDD had significantly higher levels of IL-1β, IL-10, and TNF-α, but significantly lower levels of IL-8. There were no significant differences in the levels of IL-6 or TGF-β1. We found linear correlations between IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-8, and the severity of depression, as well as between IL-8 and anxiety level in patients with comorbid anxiety disorder. In addition, higher IL-1β and TNF-α levels were associated with higher Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) scores, while higher IL-8 levels were associated with lower HAMD and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale scores. Here we present evidence of changes in cytokine levels in antidepressant drug-naïve patients with MDD. Abnormal expression of inflammatory cytokines in patients with depression suggests that depression activates an inflammatory process. Immunological abnormalities may be involved in the pathophysiology of depression.

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  • Patients with MDD or BD have increased levels of different pro-inflammatory cytokines compared with healthy controls.

    “Data from several meta-analyses outlines that patients suffering MDD or BD have increased different pro-inflammatory cytokines levels as compared with healthy controls [47,48,49,50].”

    From Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio, a Novel Inflammatory Marker, as a Predictor of Bipolar Type in Depressed Patients: A Quest for Biological Markers (2021) · cites this paper as [47]

    The Discussion (page not supplied) reports higher IL-1β and TNF-α in antidepressant drug-naïve patients with MDD than in healthy controls. It does not report findings for bipolar disorder, and this paper is an original study rather than a meta-analysis. It also found lower IL-8 and no difference in IL-6, so the increase applies to specific pro-inflammatory cytokines, not all those measured. (LLM, conf=0.90)

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Authors
Zou, W., Feng, R., & Yang, Y.
Affiliations
Tongji Hospital (CN)
Corresponding author
Yang, Yuan
ORCID
Yang, Yuan
Venue
PLOS ONE
Publisher
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Published
2018-06-01
Volume
13
Issue
6
Pages
e0197267
ISSN
1932-6203 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0197267
PMC
PMC5983476
OpenAlex
W2807318413
Cited by
224
References
48
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 34 · 2023: 26 · 2022: 32 · 2021: 39 · 2020: 35 · 2019: 24 · 2018: 7
FWCI
8.36
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • PLoS ONE (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
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, inflammatory cytokines, IL-1β, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, TNF-α, IL-10, TGF-β1, depression severity, anxiety comorbidity, immune hyperactivation
MeSH terms
Adult, Antidepressive Agents, Depressive Disorder, Major, Major Depressive Disorder, Female, Gene Expression Regulation, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Cytokines, Inflammation Mediators

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