Effects of antidepressants on the production of cytokines
by
Kenis G, Maes M.
Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology,
University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2002 Dec;5(4):401-12

ABSTRACT

There is now evidence that major depression is associated with an up-regulation of the inflammatory response system (IRS). One of the major factors in this IRS activation is the hyperproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Recently, a number of studies examined whether there is a causative role of these inflammatory mediators in the aetiology of major depression. Studies with animal models and cytokine immune therapy in humans suggest that pro-inflammatory cytokines induce depressive symptomatology. Moreover, these depressive symptoms can be effectively reversed by antidepressant treatment. Thus, it may be suggested that antidepressants suppress pro-inflammatory cytokine production and/or action, resulting in improvement of depressive symptoms. The influence of antidepressants on cytokine production has been examined in culture systems in vitro, and in animal models of depression - in which cytokine production is induced by endotoxin administration. Results suggest that antidepressants of several classes decrease the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interferon-gamma and tumour necrosis factor-alpha, and increase that of interleukin-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine. Further, the effect of antidepressive treatment on cytokine secretion and on plasma levels of cytokines in depressed patients has been studied. Unfortunately, different approaches to examine cytokine production and different techniques to measure cytokines in plasma are used in these studies. Despite this, current data indicate a normalization of cytokine plasma levels and cytokine production after antidepressant treatment. It is clear, however, that more research is warranted and we strongly argue the need for higher standardization in the methodology used to examine the cytokine network in depressed patients.

Stress
Options
Depression
Interferons
Interleukins
21st Century
Cytokines and psychiatry
Cytokines and depression
Inflammation and depression
The vagus nerve and cytokines
Cytokines and major depression
Cytokine-induced depression: mechanisms
Cytokines and heart failure-induced anhedonia
Antidepressants, cytokines and mood disorders
The immune system, depression and antidepressants

Refs
and further reading

HOME
HedWeb
Nootropics
cocaine.wiki
Future Opioids
BLTC Research
MDMA/Ecstasy
Superhapiness?
Utopian Surgery?
The Abolitionist Project
The Hedonistic Imperative
The Reproductive Revolution
Critique of Huxley's Brave New World

The Good Drug Guide
The Responsible Parent's Guide
To Healthy Mood Boosters For All The Family