Increase in plasma proinflammatory cytokines after electroconvulsive therapy in patients with depressive disorder.
OBJECTIVE
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is regarded as an effective treatment of drug-resistant depression, but its mechanism of action is mostly unknown. We have previously reported that epileptic seizures result in cerebral production of cytokines, which are also reflected in the plasma. In this study, we tested whether ECT is associated with similar acute release of cytokines.


METHODS
The plasma levels of cytokines interleukin (IL) 1beta, IL-1 receptor antagonist, and IL-6 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at several time points after ECT. The study included 9 patients who met the diagnostic criteria of major depression (mean age, 55 years; mean Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale score, 30).


RESULTS
Our results demonstrate that cytokines IL-1beta and IL-6 are increased at 3- and 6-hour time points after ECT. IL-6 release also correlated to the stimulus dose used, suggesting neuronal depolarization as a mechanism of cytokine release.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that ECT is associated with rapid induction of inflammatory cytokines most likely in the central nervous system, which are also measurable in the peripheral blood.
Lehtimäki
Kai
K
Department of Neurosurgery, Tampere University Hospital, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland. kai.lehtimaki@pshp.fi
Keränen
Tapani
T
Huuhka
Martti
M
Palmio
Johanna
J
Hurme
Mikko
M
Leinonen
Esa
E
Peltola
Jukka
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000097:blood*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017472:Receptors, Interleukin-1 / Q000097:blood*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6; D017472:Receptors, Interleukin-1