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Adjunctive N-acetylcysteine in depression: exploration of interleukin-6, C-reactive protein and brain-derived neurotrophic factor

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 March 2017

Kyoko Hasebe ,
Laura Gray ,
Chiara Bortolasci ,
Bruna Panizzutti ,
Mohammadreza Mohebbi ,
Srisaiyini Kidnapillai ,
Briana Spolding ,
Ken Walder ,
Michael Berk  and
Gin Malhi
...Show all authors
Kyoko Hasebe
Affiliation:
School of Medicine, Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
Laura Gray
Affiliation:
School of Medicine, Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Australia
Chiara Bortolasci
Affiliation:
School of Medicine, Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia Graduation Program in Health Sciences, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
Bruna Panizzutti
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, Hospital de clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
Mohammadreza Mohebbi
Affiliation:
School of Medicine, IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
Srisaiyini Kidnapillai
Affiliation:
School of Medicine, Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
Briana Spolding
Affiliation:
School of Medicine, Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
Ken Walder
Affiliation:
School of Medicine, Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
Michael Berk
Affiliation:
The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Australia School of Medicine, IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health
Gin Malhi
Affiliation:
Discipline of Psychiatry, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Seetal Dodd
Affiliation:
School of Medicine, IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health
Olivia M. Dean*
Affiliation:
The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Australia School of Medicine, IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
*
Dr. Olivia M. Dean, School of Medicine, IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia. Tel: +61 (0)3 4215 3300; Fax: +61 (0)3 4215 3491; E-mail: oliviad@barwonhealth.org.au
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Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to explore effects of adjunctive N-acetylcysteine (NAC) treatment on inflammatory and neurogenesis markers in unipolar depression.

Methods

We embarked on a 12-week clinical trial of NAC (2000 mg/day compared with placebo) as an adjunctive treatment for unipolar depression. A follow-up visit was conducted 4 weeks following the completion of treatment. We collected serum samples at baseline and the end of the treatment phase (week 12) to determine changes in interleukin-6 (IL6), C-reactive protein (CRP) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) following NAC treatment.

Results

NAC treatment significantly improved depressive symptoms on the Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) over 16 weeks of the trial. Serum levels of IL6 were associated with reductions of MADRS scores independent of treatment response. However, we found no significant changes in IL6, CRP and BDNF levels following NAC treatment.

Conclusion

Overall, this suggests that our results failed to support the hypothesis that IL6, CRP and BDNF are directly involved in the therapeutic mechanism of NAC in depression. IL6 may be a useful marker for future exploration of treatment response.

Keywords

clinical trialdepressioninflammationN-acetylcysteineneurotrophic factor
Type
Original Articles
Information
Acta Neuropsychiatrica , Volume 29 , Issue 6 , December 2017 , pp. 337 - 346
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Copyright
© Scandinavian College of Neuropsychopharmacology 2017 

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