Serum Interleukin Levels and Insulin Resistance in Major Depressive Disorder.

Abstract

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE:

Major depressive disorder (MDD) has been associated with inflammatory processes, including increased cytokine levels, even in individuals who are otherwise physically healthy, while some MDD patients may show insulin resistance (IR).

METHOD:

However, correlations between cytokines and IR parameters have not been studied extensively in MDD. In the present study, we measured IL-1β, IL-4, IFN-γ, TGF-β1, insulin and glucose in 63 MDD patients and 27 healthy controls. The associations between cytokine levels and IR were examined.

RESULTS:

The results revealed a significant increase (p<0.05) in serum levels of IL-1β, IL-4, IFN-γ, TGF-β1, insulin, insulin/glucose ratio, and insulin resistance (HOMA2IR) in MDD patients as compared with controls. There was a significant correlation between HOMA2IR with both IFN-γ (ρ=0.289, p<0.05) and TGF-β1 (ρ=0.364, p<0.05).

CONCLUSION:

The present study further confirms that MDD is accompanied by activation of the immune system with significant elevations in the levels of four cytokines. These results indicate stimulation of the immune system and increased IR and modulation of IR by increased cytokine levels in MDD. These findings show that immune activation and associated IR are a new drug target in depression.

• Authors: Hussein Kadhem Al-Hakeim, Sadiq Neama Al-Kufi, Arafat Hussein Al-Dujaili, Michael Maes
• Journal: CNS & neurological disorders drug targets (CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets) Vol. 17 Issue 8 Pg. 618-625 ( 2018) ISSN: 1996-3181 [Electronic] United Arab Emirates
• PMID: 30033878 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at [email protected].

Chemical References

• Blood Glucose
• Cytokines

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Blood Glucose (physiology)
• Correlation of Data
• Cytokines (blood)
• Depressive Disorder, Major (blood, physiopathology)
• Female
• Humans
• Insulin Resistance (physiology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
• Sex Factors
• Young Adult