Plasma cytokine abnormalities in drug-naïve, comorbidity-free obsessive–compulsive disorder

Growing evidence in the last decade suggest significant role of immune alterations in the pathogenesis of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). Cytokines, mediators of inflammation, alter the neurotransmitter concentration and result in a hyposerotonergic and hyperglutamatergic state implicated in pathogenesis of OCD. However, only few studies have examined cytokine abnormalities in OCD with inconsistent results possibly due to confounding effects of medications and comorbid anxiety–depression. We examined 20 comorbidity free, drug free OCD patients and 20 age and sex matched healthy controls. Clinical severity was assessed using Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale, Hamilton anxiety rating scale, Hamilton depression rating scale and Clinical Global Impression. Levels of different cytokines, Interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and Interferon (IFN)-γ were assessed using Cytometric Bead Array. OCD patients had significantly greater plasma levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α levels than controls but not IFN-γ. Reanalysis of data with only drug naive patients (excluding 4 drug free patients) did not alter the results. Presence of these abnormalities in drug-naive patients suggests the possible role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of OCD. Study findings have potential clinical utility in development of novel therapeutic options targeting cytokine aberrations in OCD.