title: Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase and immune changes under antidepressive treatment in major depression in females.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO) induction has been suggested as a mechanism by which immune activation affects tryptophan metabolism and serotonin synthesis in major depressive disorder (MDD). We investigated IDO and changes in inflammatory mediators in patients with MDD undergoing effective treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty female patients with MDD and 40 controls were recruited. Serum IDO was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We also determined tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), interferon-γ (IFNγ), C-reactive protein (CRP) and serotonin concentrations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients' baseline concentrations of IDO and immune mediators were higher and serotonin concentrations were lower compared to controls. IDO and TNFα concentrations decreased under treatment and IDO changes were positively correlated with patient improvement. IFNγ and CRP concentrations remained unchanged. Serotonin concentration tended to increase.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IDO might play an important role in the pathophysiology of MDD. Moreover, antidepressant therapy might reduce IDO production through an IFNγ-independent pathway. Finally, peripheral concentration of IDO assessed by ELISA might be a useful marker of MDD.
authors: Laboratory of Biopathology and Immunology, Athens University Medical School, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors: Margarita
authors: M
authors: Zoga
authors: First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, Athens University Medical School, Athens, Greece.
authors: Panagiotis
authors: P
authors: Oulis
authors: Laboratory of Biopathology and Immunology, Athens University Medical School, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece schatzi@med.uoa.gr schatzipa@gmail.com.
authors: Stylianos
authors: S
authors: Chatzipanagiotou
authors: First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, Athens University Medical School, Athens, Greece.
authors: Vasilios G
authors: VG
authors: Masdrakis
authors: Laboratory of Biopathology and Immunology, Athens University Medical School, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors: Paraskevi
authors: P
authors: Pliatsika
authors: Laboratory of Biopathology and Immunology, Athens University Medical School, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors: Fotini
authors: F
authors: Boufidou
authors: Laboratory of Biopathology and Immunology, Athens University Medical School, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors: Stefania
authors: S
authors: Foteli
authors: First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, Athens University Medical School, Athens, Greece.
authors: Constantin R
authors: CR
authors: Soldatos
authors: Laboratory of Biopathology and Immunology, Athens University Medical School, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors: Chryssoula
authors: C
authors: Nikolaou
authors: First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, Athens University Medical School, Athens, Greece.
authors: Charalampos
authors: C
authors: Papageorgiou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D050503:Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase / Q000378:metabolism*; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D050503:Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase; D018836:Inflammation Mediators
keywords: IDO; Major depressive disorder; antidepressive treatment; inflammatory mediators; serotonin