Association of elevated cytokines with childhood adversity in a sample of healthy adults

Abstract

Objective Childhood trauma has been associated adult stress-related disorders. However, little is known about physiologic alterations in adults with a history of early life trauma that do not have current psychiatric or medical diagnoses. In this study, the relationships between childhood adversity and cytokine and C - reactive protein (CRP) levels in healthy adults were examined. Method Participants included men (n=18) and women (n=20) who did not meet DSM-IV criteria for Axis I psychiatric disorders or any major medical illness. Cytokine and CRP levels were obtained from baseline blood samples. Subjects completed the Early Trauma Inventory Self Report (ETI-SR). The primary outcomes included serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL1-β), and CRP levels. In addition, the mean numbers of traumatic experiences (sexual, physical, emotional, general, and the summed total) were measured. Results Significant positive associations were found between the total ETI score and IL-6 (p = 0.05), IL1-β (p < 0.05), and TNF-α (p = 0.01). Significant positive correlations were found between the number of general traumas and IL1-β (p < 0.05), TNF-α (p < 0.05), and IL-6 (p < 0.01). Neither the total number of traumas nor any of the trauma subscales were significantly associated with CRP levels. Conclusions The positive association between childhood trauma and basal cytokine levels supports the extant literature demonstrating the long-term impact of childhood trauma and stress on homeostatic systems. Importantly, this association was found in healthy adults, suggesting that these alterations may precede the development of significant stress-related psychiatric disorder or disease.

New approaches to divorce with children: A problem of public health

“…Hartwell et al (2013) found an important association of elevated basal cytokines with childhood adversity in a sample of healthy adults demonstrating the long-term impact of childhood trauma and stress on homeostatic systems. Importantly, this association was found in healthy adults, suggesting that these alterations may precede the development of significant stress-related psychiatric disorder or disease.…”

Inflammation in Fear- and Anxiety-Based Disorders: PTSD, GAD, and Beyond

“…Parental separation in early childhood is also associated with increased CRP in adulthood (Lacey et al, 2013;McDade et al, 2013). Concentrations of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α are elevated with childhood maltreatment (Gouin et al, 2012;Hartwell et al, 2013;Kiecolt-Glaser et al, 2011;Smith et al, 2011;Tietjen et al, 2012). Importantly, exposure to trauma in childhood is associated with increased risk for developing PTSD and other psychiatric conditions (Edwards et al, 2003).…”

Stress- and PTSD-associated obesity and metabolic dysfunction: A growing problem requiring further research and novel treatments

“…Similarly, early life stress has been linked with obesity, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes [14–16]. Inflammation appears to be higher in adults exposed to early life adversity, including increased levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), c-reactive protein (CRP), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), which may further contribute to risk of cardiovascular disease [17, 18]. Adipokines, including leptin and adiponectin, are also dysregulated in individuals with high levels of childhood adversity [19].…”