Back to Search Start Over

Acute effects of low-dose interferon- on serum cortisol and plasma interleukin-6.

Acute effects of low-dose interferon- on serum cortisol and plasma interleukin-6.

Authors :
Cassidy, Eugene
Manning, Diamuid
Bryne, Sinead
Bolger, Emer
Murray, Frank
Sharifi, Neda
Wallace, Eleanor
Keogan, M T
O'Keane, Veronica
Source :
Journal of Psychopharmacology; Sep2002, Vol. 16 Issue 3, p230, 5p
Publication Year :
2002

Abstract

Major depression is associated with both hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis overactivity and immune system activation. Depression is a common occurrence following interferon (IFN)-? treatment. While IFN-? is known to stimulate the HPA axis, little is known about the effects of exogenous IFN-? in humans on the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-6, a marker of immune system activation. This study examined the acute effects of IFN-? on cortisol and IL-6 release, and the time course of any changes in these variables. Serum cortisol and plasma IL-6 were assessed in healthy volunteers over an 8-h period following 3 million units subcutaneous IFN-? or placebo using a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design. IFN-? resulted in a significant increase in both cortisol and IL-6. Regular sampling over 8 h did not delineate any sequential effect of the rise in these variables over time. We conclude that IFN-? acutely stimulates both the HPA axis and proinflammatory cytokine release. The hypothesis that the effect of IFN-? on the HPA axis is indirect and mediated by IL-6 was not supported by this study. Our findings are nonetheless of relevance to the aetiology of depression following IFN-?. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
02698811
Volume :
16
Issue :
3
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Journal of Psychopharmacology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
8700491
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1177/026988110201600307