Abstract
Introduction: Studies have investigated the pathogenesis of depression, with few focusing on the elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in depression. This article undertakes a scoping review of the available research to explore the current understanding of the role of pro-inflammatory cytokines in depression. Furthermore, the ability of exercise to reduce depression severity through lowering these cytokine levels is examined. Method: Analysis of online research articles was used to investigate the intended objective, and 18 English-based papers published between 2010-2020 were selected. These studies examined pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in healthy, depressed, diseased and/or physically active patients or research animals as a primary or secondary outcome. Other inclusion criteria such as number of participants and appropriate control selection were used to further refine the search results. Results: Based on the conducted search, sufficient evidence seems to exist to support an association between elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β and incidence of depression. Exercise increases the production and release of anti-inflammatory cytokines and reduces baseline levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. These anti-inflammatory properties of physical activity supported by exercise-focused studies, can explain the mechanism behind reduced depressive symptoms after a period of regular exercise. Discussion: The available data supports an association between elevated pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and depression, and the antidepressant effects of exercise. However, there is no evidence of causality between elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and depression. Whether pro-inflammatory cytokine levels changed as a result of regular exercise, the specific types of pro-inflammatory cytokines that experienced the change, and the extent to which they did, depended on the participant, and the exercise activity. Conclusion: Measuring the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines can potentially provide an objective method for diagnosing depression. Due to the potential anti-inflammatory effects of exercise, programs can be designed as a non-pharmacological treatment in mild cases and augment the effectiveness of drug therapy in severe cases.
Highlights
Studies have investigated the pathogenesis of depression, with few focusing on the elevation of proinflammatory cytokine levels in depression
Chronic elevations of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as Interleukin 6 (IL-6), Tumour Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), and Interleukin-1-beta (IL-1β) prompts disruptions in behaviour through changes in neurotransmitter functions, leading to neuropsychiatric dysfunction [3]. These findings led to the cytokine hypothesis of depression, theorizing that increased levels of circulating pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion correlate to increased risks of developing depression [1]
This review aims to identify the effects of decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β through exercise on reducing depression symptoms
Summary
Studies have investigated the pathogenesis of depression, with few focusing on the elevation of proinflammatory cytokine levels in depression. Method: Analysis of online research articles was used to investigate the intended objective, and 18 English-based papers published between 2010-2020 were selected These studies examined pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in healthy, depressed, diseased and/or physically active patients or research animals as a primary or secondary outcome. Other inclusion criteria such as number of participants and appropriate control selection were used to further refine the search results. Chronic elevations of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as Interleukin 6 (IL-6), Tumour Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), and Interleukin-1-beta (IL-1β) prompts disruptions in behaviour through changes in neurotransmitter functions, leading to neuropsychiatric dysfunction [3] These findings led to the cytokine hypothesis of depression, theorizing that increased levels of circulating pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion correlate to increased risks of developing depression [1]. The administration of cytokines to humans and lab animals in various studies have resulted in behavioural changes that are consistent with depressive behaviours [3]
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