Decreased IFN-γ and IL-12 levels in panic disorder.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to assess the measures of proinflammatory cytokines in patients with panic disorder in comparison with the healthy subjects.


METHODS
Twenty three patients with panic disorder with or without agoraphobia and twenty three controls were recruited for the study. Plasma samples of all subjects were analyzed for TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-12 concentrations and NK-cell activity is measured in the peripheral blood samples of the subjects.


RESULTS
We found significant differences on the mean values of IL-12 (p=0.01) and IFN-γ (p=0.02) between the panic disorder and control groups. In a logistic regression analysis, IFN-γ values were significant statistical predictors of the presence of panic disorder (B=-0.07, SE=0.03, p=0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
The most important implication of our results is to suggest a relation between panic disorder and low levels of IFN-γ, compatible with the results of the animal studies showing that IFN-γ plays a role by acting to regulate the development of anxiety-like behaviors.
Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Istanbul University, Capa, Istanbul, Turkey. rtukel@gmail.com
Raşit
R
Tükel
Belkis Atasever
BA
Arslan
Banu Aslantaş
BA
Ertekin
Erhan
E
Ertekin
Serap
S
Oflaz
Arzu
A
Ergen
Serap Erdem
SE
Kuruca
Turgay
T
Isbir
D000328:Adult; D000379:Agoraphobia / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood*; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000097:blood*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications
D016207:Cytokines; D018664:Interleukin-12; D007371:Interferon-gamma