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.
Stanley Foundation Research Centre, Psychiatry Research Laboratories, University of Newcastle Medical School, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
B M
BM
Owen
D
D
Eccleston
I N
IN
Ferrier
A H
AH
Young
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