The Research On Cytokines And Thyroid Hormone In Depression Patients

Objective: To investigate whether major depression is accompanied by signs of immune activation and whether the patients with depressive disorder have thyroid function abnormal effects,according to results of detecting the level of cytokines and thyroid hormone. Methods: 39 patients with depression were collected from March to December ,2005. They were assessed with Hamilton depression scale (HAMD≥17 score) .Blood samples were adopted for enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay of interleukin-2( IL-2). interleukin-6( IL-6) and Tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α). The serum levels of 3, 5, 3-triiodothyronine (T₃), 3, 5, 3, 5- tetraiodotyyronine (T₄) and tyroid stimulating hormone(TSH)were determined with radioimmunoassay in both groups. Results: There were significant differences in plasma levels of Interleukin- 2 and Interleukin- 6 (P<0.01, P<0.05), but no significant difference of Tumor necrosis factor-αbetween the two groups(P>0.05). Total T₄ level in depression patients were significantly higher than that in healthy controls. TSH level in depressive patients were significantly lower than that in healthy controls. Conclusion: There were different pathological mechanisms of immunology and endocrinology in patients with depression. The levels of cytokines were abnormal in patients with depressive disorder. Major depression is accompanied by signs of immune activation, and observed biological significance of neuroendocrine changes in patients with major depressive disorder.