Estudo da concentração plasmática de TNF-alfa e seus receptores solúveis em pacientes com transtorno bipolar

Abstract

Introduction: Bipolar disorder (BD) has been associated with a proinflammatory state in which TNF-alfa seems to play a relevant role.Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the plasma levels of TNF-alfa and its soluble receptors (sTNFR1 and sTNFR2) in BD patients in mania and euthymia. Methods: We evaluated 53 BD patients (34 in manic episode and 19 in euthymia) and 38 healthy subjects. All subjects were assessed by the Mini-International Neuropsychiatry Interview (MINI-Plus) and patients by the Young Mania Rating Scale and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Plasma TNF-alfa and its soluble receptors were measured by ELISA. Results: Patients had an average of 20 years of disease. The plasma levels of TNF-alfa and sTNFR2 were not significantly different among groups, but the levels of sTNFR1 were higher in the manic group than the control group. sTNFR1 and sTNFR2 plasma levels positively correlated with BD duration. Furthermore, plasma levels of sTNFR2 positively correlated with age of patients. Conclusions: BD patients display a proinflammatory state which increases with disease duration.