Increased soluble tumor necrosis factor-α receptors in patients with major depressive disorder

Rodrigo Grassi-Oliveira, Elisa Brietzke, Júlio C. Pezzi, Rodrigo P. Lopes, Antonio L. Teixeira, Moisés E. Bauer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

84 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aim: Several lines of evidence suggest that major depressive disorder is associated with an inflammatory status. Tumor necrosis factor-α has been investigated as a potential molecular target in mood disorders. Tumor necrosis factor-α exerts its activity through binding to specific cell membrane receptors named as TNFR1 and TNFR2. The aim of the present study was to investigate soluble plasma TNFR1 (sTNFR1) and TNFR2 levels (sTNFR2) in major depressive disorder patients. Methods: Female outpatients with major depressive disorder (n = 30) were compared with a healthy control group (n = 19). Severity of depressive symptoms was evaluated on Beck Depression Inventory; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms were evaluated on PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version; and childhood abuse and neglect on the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Plasma tumor necrosis factor-α and its soluble receptors were measured by ELISA. Results: Patients had no changes in tumor necrosis factor-α concentrations but did have increased sTNFR1 (P < 0.001) and sTNFR2 (P < 0.001) levels compared to controls. Plasma level of sTNFR1 was positively predicted by age (B = 0.25, P = 0.05) and PTSD-like symptoms (B = 0.41, P = 0.002) and plasma levels of sTNFR2 by depression severity (B = 0.67, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Soluble tumor necrosis factor-α receptors could be reliable markers of inflammatory activity in major depression.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)202-208
Number of pages7
JournalPsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences
Volume63
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2009
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Biological markers
  • Child abuse
  • Cytokines
  • Inflammation
  • Mood disorder

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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