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. 2001 Mar;103(3):226-8.
doi: 10.1034/j.1600-0447.2001.00162.x.

Raised levels of plasma interleukin-1beta in major and postviral depression

B M Owen  1 , D Eccleston, I N Ferrier, A H Young
Affiliations

Raised levels of plasma interleukin-1beta in major and postviral depression

B M Owen et al. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2001 Mar.

Abstract

Objective: Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) is released as part of the acute phase immune response and can directly stimulate the release of corticotrophin-releasing hormone and thus induce hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis hyperactivity. Major depression has been shown to be accompanied by both an acute phase immune response, including raised IL-1beta production and hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis hyperactivity. In this study the possible role of IL-1beta in major depression and postviral depression was investigated.

Method: Plasma IL-1beta levels were measured in four groups; patients suffering from postviral depression (n= 17), patients with major depression (n = 20), subjects who were postviral and euthymic (n= 12) and normal controls (n = 20).

Results: IL-1beta serum concentrations were significantly elevated in both groups of depressed patients compared to controls. The serum concentrations of IL-1beta were higher in the postviral group than in the major depression group; this difference was not significant.

Conclusion: These data confirm previous suggestions of elevated IL-1beta levels in major depression and postviral depression. IL-1beta is known to induce depressive symptoms as well as sickness behaviour and may contribute to the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis hyperactivity found in mood disorders.

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