The level of IL-6 was associated with sleep disturbances in patients with major depressive disorder

Abstract

Min Wang,1,2 Jinxue Wei,1,2 Xiao Yang,1,2 Peiyan Ni,1,2 Yingcheng Wang,1,2 Liansheng Zhao,1,2 Wei Deng,1,2 Wanjun Guo,1,2 Qiang Wang,1,2 Tao Li,1,2 Xiaohong Ma1,21Mental Health Center and Psychiatric Laboratory, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China; 2Huaxi Brain Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, People’s Republic of ChinaPurpose: Major depression disorder (MDD) was associated with inflammatory processes, but association results of inflammatory syndrome and MDD were inconsistent. To provide more evidence, we measured the plasma levels of IL-1β, IL-6, interferon (INT)-α2, INT-γ, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in patients having MDD and explored correlations between the five proinflammatory cytokines and specific depressive symptoms.Patients and methods: Plasma concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, INT-α2, INT-γ, and TNF-α were measured using ELISA for 44 MDD patients and 54 healthy controls. Patients with MDD were assessed on the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17), and a total score and five syndrome scores were acquired.Results: IL-6 levels in depressed patients were significantly elevated than in healthy controls, but no significant differences were observed in the levels of INF-α2, INF-γ, IL-1β, or TNF-α. In addition, correlation analysis revealed that sleep disturbances positively correlated with IL-6. Although there was no significant difference between the two groups in the levels of INF-α2, a significant positive correlation between IFN-α2 and retardation was observed.Conclusion: Elevated IL-6 levels were observed in MDD patients and IL-6 may correlate with sleep disturbances.Keywords: major depression disorder, inflammation, cytokine, interleukin-6, sleep disturbances

Keywords

• major depression disorder
• inflammation
• cytokine
• interleukin-6
• sleep disturbances