Peripheral inflammatory cytokines and immune balance in Generalised Anxiety Disorder: Case-controlled study.
BACKGROUND
Previous investigations have demonstrated that major depression is associated with particular patterns of cytokine signalling. The primary aim of this study was to examine peripheral pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and immune balance in Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD).


METHODS
A case-controlled cross-sectional study design was employed: 54 patients with GAD and 64 healthy controls were recruited. Participants completed self-report measures of anxiety and depression. Two pro-inflammatory and two anti-inflammatory cytokines were measured using multiplex technology.


RESULTS
Case-control logistic regression analyses revealed significant differences in serum levels of IL-10, TNF-α, and IFN-γ between GAD and control groups after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, smoking and alcohol consumption: these group differences were independent of the presence or degree of depression. Comparison of pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory cytokine ratios indicated that there were significantly higher ratios of TNF-α/IL10, TNF-α/IL4, IFN-γ/IL10, and IFN-γ/IL4 in the GAD group compared to the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
This study is the first to investigate both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and their balance in patients with GAD in comparison to healthy controls. The findings indicate a relatively increased pro-inflammatory response and decreased anti-inflammatory response and provide the first demonstration of an altered cytokine balance in GAD. Serum cytokine levels in GAD were independent of the presence of depression.
Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, United Kingdom. Electronic address: r.hou@soton.ac.uk.
Ruihua
R
Hou
Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, United Kingdom; Department of Psychology, University of Southampton, United Kingdom.
Matthew
M
Garner
Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, United Kingdom.
Clive
C
Holmes
Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, United Kingdom.
Clive
C
Osmond
Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, United Kingdom.
Jessica
J
Teeling
Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, United Kingdom.
Laurie
L
Lau
Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, United Kingdom; University Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
David S
DS
Baldwin
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000097:blood; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D057566:Self Report; D055815:Young Adult
D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators
Anti-inflammatory cytokine; Cytokine ratios; Generalised Anxiety Disorder; Inflammation; Pro-inflammatory cytokine