Natural Killer Cell Activity in North Korean Defectors with PTSD.
- Author:
Byung Chang KIM
1
;
Sung Hoon JEONG
;
Hyo Deog RIM
;
Jong Hyuck CHOI
;
Jeong Hee JEON
;
Yang Whan JEON
Author Information
1. Department of Psychiatry, National Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
NK cells;
Posttraumatic stress disorder;
North Korean defectors;
Immunity
- MeSH:
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone;
Anxiety;
Depression;
Hydrocortisone;
Killer Cells, Natural;
Plasma;
Republic of Korea;
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic;
T-Lymphocyte Subsets
- From:Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association
2008;47(5):481-487
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate an association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and altered immunity in North Korean defectors who were more likely to develop medical conditions and other stress-related psychiatric disorders. METHODS: Twenty-four North Korean defectors with PTSD and twenty-two controls without PTSD were recruited from the resettlement and training center for North Korean defectors in South Korea. Peripheral T lymphocyte subsets, natural killer (NK) cells, NK cell activity and plasma hormones (ACTH and cortisol) were obtained from all subjects. We also applied the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A) for all subjects. RESULTS: We found NK cell activity was relatively lower than number of NK cells in North Korean defectors with PTSD. Subjects with PTSD had higher HAM-D and HAM-A scores than controls. However, there were no statistical differences in ACTH, cortisol, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD4/CD8 ratio, CD19 and CD56 between the two groups. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest North Korean defectors with PTSD show higher levels of depression, anxiety and impaired or weak immune function in NK cells.
