The roles of BDNF, S100B, and oxidative stress in interferon-induced depression and the effect of antidepressant treatment in patients with chronic viral hepatitis: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to research the relationship between interferon (IFN) induced depression and sociodemographic characteristics, neurotrophic factors and oxidative stress.

METHODS

Sixty four cases, 34 with Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) and 30 with Chronic Hepatitis C (CHC), were included in the study. The patients were assessed with Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-I), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) at baseline on the 2nd and 6th weeks of treatment. S100 calcium binding protein B (S100B), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidative stress (TOS) levels were measured at the same visits.

RESULTS

In total, 20 patients were diagnosed with major depression (MD) on the sixth week. A significant relationship was found between depression developed after IFN therapy and baseline HARS scores and the type of IFN-α. When the pretreatment levels of HDRS, HARS, S100B, BDNF, TAS, and TOS were compared to those after treatment on the 2nd week, there was a significant increase in HDRS and HARS levels and a significant decrease in the levels of S100B and BDNF. No significant change was determined for TAS and TOS levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that the pathogenesis of IFN induced depression may involve neurotrophic factors.