The in vitro immunosuppressive effects of moclobemide in healthy volunteers.
BACKGROUND
Many studies have demonstrated that major depression is related to an activation of the inflammatory response system (IRS) with an increased production of proinflammatory cytokines. It has been shown that tricyclic antidepressants and serotonin reuptake inhibitors suppress the activation of the IRS in depression and have negative immunoregulatory effects in vitro. Little is known on the immune effects of moclobemide, a reversible monoamine oxidase A inhibitor.


METHODS
We examined, in nine normal volunteers, the in vitro effects of moclobemide on the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha), interferon-gamma (IFNgamma), IL-10 and the IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) by diluted whole blood stimulated or not with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)+phytohemagglutinin (PHA).


RESULTS
Moclobemide 10(-3) and 10(-5) M significantly suppressed the unstimulated production of TNFalpha and IL-8, and significantly enhanced the stimulated-production of IL-10. The production of IL-6, IL-1RA and IFNgamma was not significantly affected either in the unstimulated or stimulated conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
Moclobemide has negative immunoregulatory capacities through inhibition of the production of proinflammatory cytokines, i.e. TNFalpha and IL-8, and through enhancement of the production of IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine.
Lin
A
A
Clinical Research Center for Mental Health (CRC-MH), University Department of Psychiatry, AZ Stuivenbreg 267 Lange Beeldekensstraat, 2060, Antwerp, Belgium.
Song
C
C
Kenis
G
G
Bosmans
E
E
De Jongh
R
R
Scharpé
S
S
Maes
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D020912:Moclobemide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012016:Reference Values
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; D020912:Moclobemide