The roles of BDNF, S100B, and oxidative stress in interferon-induced depression and the effect of antidepressant treatment in patients with chronic viral hepatitis: A prospective study

Objective: The aim of the study was to research the relationship between interferon (IFN) induced depression and sociodemographic characteristics, neurotrophic factors and oxidative stress. Methods: Sixty four cases, 34 with Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) and 30 with Chronic Hepatitis C (CNC), were included in the study. The patients were assessed with Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-I), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) at baseline on the 2nd and 6th weeks of treatment. S100 calcium binding protein B (S100B), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidative stress (TOS) levels were measured at the same visits. Results: In total, 20 patients were diagnosed with major depression (MD) on the sixth week. A significant relationship was found between depression developed after IFN therapy and baseline HARS scores and the type of IFN-alpha. When the pretreatment levels of HDRS, HARS, S100B, BDNF, TAS, and TOS were compared to those after treatment on the 2nd week, there was a significant increase in HDRS and HARS levels and a significant decrease in the levels of S1 00B and BDNF. No significant change was determined for TAS and TOS levels. Conclusions: Our study suggests that the pathogenesis of IFN induced depression may involve neurotrophic factors. (c) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.