Raised levels of plasma interleukin-1beta in major and postviral depression.
OBJECTIVE
Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) is released as part of the acute phase immune response and can directly stimulate the release of corticotrophin-releasing hormone and thus induce hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis hyperactivity. Major depression has been shown to be accompanied by both an acute phase immune response, including raised IL-1beta production and hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis hyperactivity. In this study the possible role of IL-1beta in major depression and postviral depression was investigated.


METHODS
Plasma IL-1beta levels were measured in four groups; patients suffering from postviral depression (n= 17), patients with major depression (n = 20), subjects who were postviral and euthymic (n= 12) and normal controls (n = 20).


RESULTS
IL-1beta serum concentrations were significantly elevated in both groups of depressed patients compared to controls. The serum concentrations of IL-1beta were higher in the postviral group than in the major depression group; this difference was not significant.


CONCLUSIONS
These data confirm previous suggestions of elevated IL-1beta levels in major depression and postviral depression. IL-1beta is known to induce depressive symptoms as well as sickness behaviour and may contribute to the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis hyperactivity found in mood disorders.
Owen
B M
BM
Stanley Foundation Research Centre, Psychiatry Research Laboratories, University of Newcastle Medical School, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Eccleston
D
D
Ferrier
I N
IN
Young
A H
AH
D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000502:physiology; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000097:blood*; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000502:physiology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000523:psychology*
D007375:Interleukin-1