Document Detail


IFN-gamma reduction by tricyclic antidepressants.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21391412     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Process    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVE: A growing body of data indicates that an activation of proinflammatory cytokines such as interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is involved in the pathophysiology of depression and that the suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokine production by antidepressants may lead to an improvement of depressive symptoms. However, the influence of the serotonin and noradrenalin reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) venlafaxine and its metabolite O-desmethylvenlafaxine on the stimulated blood cell secretion of IFN-gamma has not been studied so far.
METHOD: We measured IFN-gamma levels in the stimulated blood of healthy female subjects in a whole blood assay using the toxic shock syndrome toxin TSST-1 as stimulant. Blood was either supplemented with antidepressants or not.
RESULTS: Mean IFN-gamma concentrations differed between blood with and without antidepressant supplements (p = 0.026). Planned contrasts revealed that compared to non-supplemented blood, four of the blood samples supplemented with the tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) reduced IFN-gamma levels: amitriptyline (adjusted p-value (p = 0.004), nortriptyline (p = 0.037), imipramine (p = 0.021), and desipramine (p = 0.048). There was no significant difference between the control condition and the venlafaxine or O-desmethylvenlafaxine condition.
CONCLUSIONS: TCAs might, among other mechanisms, act as antidepressants by suppressing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, whereas no significant effect of venlafaxine and O-desmethylvenlafaxine on IFN-gamma secretion could be demonstrated.
Authors:
Hubertus Himmerich; Stephany Fulda; Abigail J Sheldrick; Birgit Plümäkers; Lothar Rink
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  International journal of psychiatry in medicine     Volume:  40     ISSN:  0091-2174     ISO Abbreviation:  Int J Psychiatry Med     Publication Date:  2010  
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-03-11     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0365646     Medline TA:  Int J Psychiatry Med     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  413-24     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Aachen University, Germany.
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