Natural Killer T Cells in Acute and Unmedicated Patients with Major Depressive Disorder.
- Author:
E Jin PARK
1
;
Je Hoon LEE
;
Kweon Haeng LEE
;
Sang Ick HAN
;
Yang Whan JEON
Author Information
1. Department of Pychiatry, Our Lady of Mercy Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Incheon, Korea. jeonleo@olmh.cuk.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
NK cells;
HPA axis;
Major depressive disorder;
Depression;
Anxiety
- MeSH:
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone;
Ambulatory Care Facilities;
Anxiety;
Axis, Cervical Vertebra;
Depression;
Depressive Disorder, Major*;
Flow Cytometry;
Humans;
Hydrocortisone;
Killer Cells, Natural;
Lymphocytes;
Natural Killer T-Cells*;
Plasma;
Reference Values
- From:Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association
2006;45(3):208-213
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate an association between depression and altered immunity, we examined peripheral T lymphocyte or natural killer (NK) cell measures plasma ACTH and cortisol using the flow cytometry in acute and unmedicated patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS: Forty-two patients with MDD from the outpatient clinic and forty normal controls from the hospital staff were recruited. We applied Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A) for depressed subjects. Peripheral T lymphocyte or NK cell measures (CD3, CD4, CD8, or CD56) and plasma hormones (ACTH and cortisol) were obtained from all subjects. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences in CD3, CD4, CD8, or CD56 between the two subjects. The number of CD56 cells negatively correlated with HAM-D scores (r=-0.42, p<0.01), but did not correlate with HAM-A scores in patients with MDD. The number of CD56 cells showed strong negative correlation with CD4/CD8 (r=-0.47, p<0.01) in the control group, but not in the depressed group. Patients with MDD had higher cortisol level than controls within the normal range. CONCLUSION: The trait of immunological imbalance and HPA axis abnormality were shown in patients with MDD. Especially, the severity of depression, but not the anxiety, could be reflected as decreased number of CD56 (NK T) cells in acute and unmedicated state.
