Are Interleukins Changing the Way we Treat Depression?
Nimra Akram*
Department of Medicine, Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Pakistan
Submission: July 09, 2018; Published: July 12, 2018
*Corresponding author: Nimra Akram, Department of Medicine, Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Pakistan; Tel: +9234226888793; Email: nimara2796@gmail.com
How to cite this article: Nimra A. Are Interleukins Changing the Way we Treat Depression?. J Phy Fit Treatment & Sports. 2018; 4(4): 555645. DOI:10.19080/JPFMTS.2018.04.555645
Abstract
Depression is an ominous disorder that can affect all age groups even the strong athletes are not immune to this disorder. Given its strong influence on the quality of life, its treatment has gained significant importance. As the years are passing, novel advancements in medicine are targeting biological markers for the treatment of diseases. Interleukins are amongst them and gaining importance for the treatment of depression resistant to standard treatment.
Keywords: Depression; Athletes; Interleukins
Abbrevations: MOAs: Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; TCAs: Tricyclic Antidepressants; SSRIs: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Mini Review
Major depressive disorder is a common as well as ominous disorder that can affect all age groups. It is characterized by unremitting feelings of sadness and despair which lead to poor social skills and if left untreated can be fatal [1]. The disease stems from interplay between susceptible genes and adverse life events. The monoamine hypothesis of depression proposed that underlying pathophysiological basis of depression is a deficit in concentration of brain norepinephrine, dopamine and/or serotonin whereas mania results from elevated concentrations of monoamines. Neuroendocrine studies have demonstrated chronic HPA axis activation in major depression. The neurotrophic hypothesis of depression posited that depression is accompanied by low levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor and atrophy of neurons in hippocampus [2].
Recent novel studies indicate that the prevalence of depression among athletes is parallel to the general population while some reporting even greater prevalence so athletes who were hitherto considered physically and emotionally strong are also susceptible to depression. Gouttebarge, Frings-Dresen and Sluiter in their study on professional footballers found that the prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders were higher among athletes than the community prevalence rates [3]. Another study published in 2015 suggests that the prevalence of mental disorders in a sample of Australian athletes was akin to the prevalence rates in the general population [4].
Three major classes of antidepressant drugs; monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MOAs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), all, albeit through different mechanisms, increase the monoamine transmitter levels within the brain synapses. But emerging data from clinical trials indicated that about 30% of the patients remained unresponsive to the standard treatment [5]. The cytokine hypothesis of depression may explain some of the underlying causes for treatment resistant-depression. Depressed subjects in comparison with controls had significantly increased levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6 [6].
These pro-inflammatory cytokines might be involved in the development of depression by decreasing the production of monoamines and augmenting HPA axis [7]. In this context, Sirokumab, used for rheumatoid arthritis, may also have antidepressant properties [8]. Inhibition of production of IL-1 by celecoxib resulted in induction of a rapid antidepressant response [9]. Furthermore, recent studies indicated concomitant increase in IL-6 and decrease in IL-10 in patients suffering from major depression [10]. The antidepressant effect of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 is also supported by studies which indicated that different classes of antidepressants increased IL-10 levels upon successful treatment [11,12].
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