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[Monocytic dysfunction by opioid peptides in patients with major depression]
A Castilla1, M L Subirà, M P Civeira
1Departamento de Medicina Interna, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona.
Medicina Clinica
|September 12, 1992
Summary
Major depression is linked to immune system dysfunction, with opioid peptides potentially mediating this connection. Restoring normal monocyte function in depressed patients was observed after naloxone incubation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Psychiatry
Context:
- Depression is associated with immune system alterations.
- Endogenous opioid peptides are implicated as mediators between central nervous system dysfunction and immune changes in depression.
Purpose:
- To investigate monocyte function and surface marker expression in patients with major unipolar depression.
- To explore the role of opioid tone in the observed immunodepression.
Summary:
- Monocytes from 86% of patients with major unipolar depression exhibited dysfunction, including reduced phagocytic activity and decreased expression of vimentin, CR1, Fc gamma receptor, and HLA-DR.
- Incubation with naloxone reversed these monocytic alterations in most patients, suggesting a significant opioid tone.
Impact:
- This study highlights a significant opioid tone in major unipolar depression, impacting immune system function.
- Findings suggest potential therapeutic targets for managing immune dysregulation in depression.