Imbalance between Pro- and Anti-inflammatory Cytokines, and between Th1 and Th2 Cytokines in Depressed Patients: The Effect of Electroacupuncture or Fluoxetine Treatment

Abstract

These results suggest that an imbalance between the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1 and IL-10), and between Th1 and Th2 cytokines (INF-gamma or TNF-alpha and IL-4) occurred in untreated depressed patients. Both EA and fluoxetine had an anti-inflammatory effect by reducing IL-1beta. EA treatment also restored the balance between Th1 and Th2 systems by increasing TNF-alpha and decreasing IL-4.