Serum Interleukin Levels and Insulin Resistance in Major Depressive Disorder

Title:Serum Interleukin Levels and Insulin Resistance in Major Depressive Disorder

Volume: 17 Issue: 8

Author(s): Hussein Kadhem Al-Hakeim, Sadiq Neama Al-Kufi, Arafat Hussein Al-Dujaili and Michael Maes*

Affiliation:

• Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok,Thailand

Keywords: Major depressive disorder, cytokines, immune, inflammation, metabolism, mental 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.

Cite this article as:

Al-Hakeim Kadhem Hussein , Al-Kufi Neama Sadiq , Al-Dujaili Hussein Arafat and Maes Michael *, Serum Interleukin Levels and Insulin Resistance in Major Depressive Disorder, CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets 2018; 17 (8) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1871527317666180720155300