Cytokine production in obsessive-compulsive disorder

Cytokine production was previously demonstrated to be reduced in untreated major affective patients. In addition, recovery from depression following clomipramine (CMI) treatment was accompanied by the restoration of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-3-like activity (IL-3-LA) to normal range. In the present study we assessed the in vitro production of IL-1β, IL-2, and IL-3-LA by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in 11 nondepressed patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) before and after 8 weeks of CMI treatment. Results were compared with those of 11 healthy subjects. CMI treatment induced a significant improvement in OCD symptoms. No alteration was observed in cytokine production in OCD patients before treatment as compared to control subjects. Moreover, 8 weeks of drug treatment had no effect on cytokine production. In conclusion, OCD per se, as well as CMI treatment, have no effect on interleukin production as measured in this study.