Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026

An Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Instigating Depressive Symptoms, Behavioral Changes and Negative Health Outcomes in Rodents
Published on: December 2, 2015
Relationships between interleukin-6 activity, acute phase proteins, and function of the
M Maes1, S Scharpé, H Y Meltzer
1Dept. of Psychiatry, University Hospitals of Cleveland, OH 44106.
Abstract:
Recent studies from this laboratory have provided some evidence that major depression, in particular melancholia, may be accompanied by an immune response. The present study was designed to investigate whether severe depression is characterized by increased interleukin-6 (Il-6) activity and whether Il-6 production is related to altered levels of acute phase reactants and to abnormal function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Measurements were made in 8 healthy control subjects and 24 depressed inpatients of Il-6 production in culture supernatants of mitogen-stimulated peripheral leukocytes and plasma levels of haptoglobin (Hp), transferrin (Tf), and postdexamethasone cortisol. Il-6 activity was significantly higher in melancholic subjects than in healthy control subjects and in patients with minor depression or nonmelancholic major depression. Il-6 production was significantly correlated with Hp (positively) and Tf (negatively) plasma levels. There were significant and positive correlations between Il-6 activity and postdexamethasone cortisol values. The findings may suggest that increased Il-6 activity in severe depression is related to hypotransferrinemia, hyperhaptoglobinemia, and hyperactivity of the HPA axis.
More Related Videos
05:28A Chronic Immobilization Stress Protocol for Inducing Depression-Like Behavior in Mice
Published on: May 15, 2019
03:05Influence of Emotional Factors on the Efficacy of Acupuncture Treatment for Overweight Complicated with Hyperlipidemia: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Published on: November 21, 2025
Related Concept Videos
G-protein Coupled Receptors
Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis
Depression: Overview
Physiological Foundation of Stress
Role of the Sympathetic Nervous System
Adrenaline triggers the...
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology