title: Sertraline decreases serum level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in hemodialysis patients with depression: results of a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study was designed to assess the effect of sertraline on serum concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), IL-10 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) of depressed hemodialysis (HD) patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  During a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, fifty depressed HD patients were allocated to receive sertraline or placebo for 12 weeks. Patients' depression was assessed using Beck Depression Inventory-second edition (BDI-II). Biochemical parameters (hemoglobin, serum albumin, iron stores, etc.) and serum IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and hs-CRP levels were measured at baseline and at weeks 6 and 12 of the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sertraline significantly improved depression symptoms in 47.5% of the patients. Compared with placebo, serum levels of IL-6 significantly decreased (P<0.01) in the sertraline group at week 12 of the study. Although serum level of TNF-α decreased and serum level of IL-10 increased in sertraline group at week 12 versus initiation of the study, no significant differences were found between sertraline and placebo groups. Serum hs-CRP did not display differences neither for inter- nor intra-group comparisons. Hemoglobin and serum albumin concentrations were significantly lower at week 12 in the placebo versus sertraline group (P=0.012 and P=0.006, respectively). No significant differences were observed in the inflammatory mediators between responders and non-responders to sertraline.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared with placebo, sertraline significantly decreased serum level of IL-6. The anti-inflammatory effect of sertraline was independent to its efficacy for depression treatment. Sertraline could be a promising strategy to reduce the systemic inflammation and to treat depression in HD patients.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taraz
authors.forename: Mohammad-Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Khatami
authors.forename: Simin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dashti-Khavidaki
authors.forename: Shahin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akhonzadeh
authors.forename: Ahmad-Ali
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Noorbala
authors.forename: Padideh
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ghaeli
authors.forename: Saeideh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Taraz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D020280:Sertraline / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D020280:Sertraline
keywords: Depression; Hemodialysis; IL-10; IL-6; Sertraline; TNF-α