Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry

Background：Several studies have suggested that alterations of cytokine level could be related to the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder. In this study, we measured plasma level of Interleukin-12(IL-12), a pro-inflammatory cytokine and transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1), an anti-inflammatory cytokine before and after treatment in acute manic patients.

Methods：The plasma concentrations of IL-12 and TGF-β1 were measured using quantitative ELISA in 18 bipolar disorder patients and 25 normal controls at admission and 6 weeks later. The psychopathology was measured by Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale(BPRS) and Young Mania Rating Scale(YMRS).

Results：IL-12 levels were significantly higher in bipolar manic patients than in controls before treatment. Following the 6-week treatment, the IL-12 level was decreased than before treatment, but sustained still higher level than normal control. TGF-β1 level was not significant different between manic patients and normal controls before treatment, but was increased after treatment comparing with before treatment in bipolar patients. The ratio of IL-12 and TGF-β1 was significantly decreased after treatment.

Conclusion：Cytokine abnormalities in bipolar disorder might be involved in the pathophysiology of the illness. It is possible that TGF-β1 plays an important role in the regulation of immunological imbalance in bipolar disorder.

Keywords Cytokine;Interleukin;TGF;Bipolar disorder.