Plasma levels of interleukin-8 and response to paroxetine in patients with major depressive disorder

OBJECTIVES

Immune dysregulation plays a key role in major depressive disorder (MDD). However, little is known about the complicated involvement of various interleukins in MDD. This study was performed to investigate the correlation between plasma interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels and treatment outcome of paroxetine (a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) in patients with MDD.

METHODS

A total of 115 hospitalized patients (36 males and 79 females), aged from 18 to 72 years, were enrolled. Plasma levels of IL-8 were measured before treatment initiation (baseline) and at 8 weeks after oral paroxetine treatment. Efficacy of paroxetine was evaluated by use of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17). Baseline IL-8 levels were compared between responders and non-responders to paroxetine treatment.

RESULTS

Plasma IL-8 levels decreased significantly after an 8-week antidepressant treatment in responders, in association with a dramatic decrease in HAMD-17 scores. In non-responders, plasma IL-8 levels did not change significantly at 8 weeks after antidepressant treatment. Baseline plasma IL-8 levels were found to be significantly lower in responders than in non-responders, showing a correlation between IL-8 and antidepressant response to paroxetine.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that plasma IL-8 levels were related to treatment outcome of paroxetine, and therefore suggest that IL-8 could be a promising predicator of treatment response in individual patients with MDD.

The social psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical staff in China: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 outbreak required the significantly increased working time and intensity for health professionals in China, which may cause stress signs.

METHODS

From March 2-13 of 2020, 4,618 health professionals in China were included in an anonymous, self-rated online survey regarding their concerns on exposure to the COVID-19 outbreak. The questionnaires consisted of five parts: basic demographic information and epidemiological exposure; occupational and psychological impact; concerns during the episode; coping strategies; and the Huaxi Emotional-Distress Index (HEI).

RESULTS

About 24.2% of respondents experienced high levels of anxiety or/and depressive symptoms since the COVID-19 outbreak. Respondents who worried about their physical health and those who had COVID-19 infected friends or close relatives were more likely to have high HEI levels, than those without these characteristics. Further, family relationship was found to have an independent protective effect against high HEI levels. Their main concerns were that their families would not be cared for and that they would not be able to work properly. Compared to respondents with clear emotional problems, those with somewhat hidden emotional issues adopted more positive coping measures.

CONCLUSIONS

About a quarter of medical staff experienced psychological problems during the pandemic of COVID-19. The psychological impact of stressful events was related to worrying about their physical health, having close COVID-19 infected acquaintances and family relationship issues. Therefore, the psychological supprot for medical staff fighting in the COVID-19 pandemic may be needed.

Geniposide accelerates proteasome degradation of Txnip to inhibit insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells

PURPOSE

To analyze the role of geniposide in the protein degradation of Txnip and to determine the impact of Txnip on geniposide-regulated GSIS in pancreatic INS-1 cells.

METHODS

The content of Txnip protein was measured by western blot; insulin content and glucose uptake were determined by ELISA; and knockdown of Txnip was the method of RNA interference.

RESULTS

Glucose induces a rapid increase in Txnip protein, and geniposide accelerates the degradation of Txnip via proteasome pathway in the presence of high glucose (25 mM) in INS-1 pancreatic β-cells. And MG132, a proteasomal inhibitor, potentiates glucose uptake, metabolism (ATP production) and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) in high-glucose (25 mM)-treated INS-1 cells, but geniposide significantly prevents these effects. Furthermore, the combination of geniposide and Txnip knockdown shows substantial synergistic effects to reduce glucose uptake, metabolism and GSIS in high-glucose (25 mM)-treated INS-1 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Txnip protein played an essential role in glucose uptake, metabolism and GSIS, and geniposide could accelerate the degradation via proteasome pathway in high-glucose-treated pancreatic INS-1 cells.