Relationships of blood proinflammatory markers with psychological resilience and quality of life in civilian women with posttraumatic stress disorder

Abstract

Individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) show low resilience and impaired quality of life (QOL). Accumulating evidence shows that PTSD is associated with increased inflammation. Studies suggest that inflammation can be a key mechanism underlying low resilience/QOL, but this relationship has been understudied in individuals with PTSD. Here, we investigated the association of blood proinflammatory markers with self-reported resilience and QOL in civilian women with PTSD. Fifty-six women with PTSD and 73 healthy control women participated in this study. Resilience was assessed using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. QOL was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF. Blood samples were collected for the measurement of three proinflammatory markers including interleukin-6 (IL-6), high-sensitivity tumor necrosis factor-α, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). Compared to controls, patients showed significantly higher IL-6 levels and lower resilience and QOL. In patients, IL-6 levels were significantly negatively correlated with resilience, and hsCRP levels were significantly negatively correlated with psychological QOL. These results show that increased levels of proinflammatory markers including IL-6 and hsCRP are associated with lower psychological resilience and QOL in PTSD patients. Our findings suggest that interventions and treatments targeting inflammation may aid in the recovery from PTSD and lead to better prognosis.

Inflammation‐driven brain and gut barrier dysfunction in stress and mood disorders

“…A recent study showed an increase of plasma TNF‐α and IL‐6 levels compared to healthy controls (Brahmajothi & Abou‐Donia, 2020), but other pro‐inflammatory cytokines are also upregulated in PTSD men and women (Hoge et al., 2009; see Figure 2a). Interestingly, a study conducted in Japanese PTSD women reported that increases in TNF‐α and IL‐6 blood levels were correlated with self‐reported resilience, while C‐reactive protein (CRP) was correlated with quality of life (Imai et al., 2019). Maladaptive responses of the peripheral immune system were also observed in MDD patients (Hodes, Kana, et al., 2015; Wohleb et al., 2016; see Table 3).…”

Calorie restriction and synbiotics effect on quality of life and edema reduction in breast cancer-related lymphedema, a clinical trial

“…This might be due to their ability to maintain the balance of the intestinal microbiota, regulate the immunomodulatory responses as well as suppression of the potential pathogens, and the inhibition of carcinogenesis [ 12 , 16 , 17 ]. Since elevated inflammation and oxidative stress are associated with impairment of quality of life [ [20] , [21] , [22] , [23] , [24] ], thus, using synbiotics might be promising in improving the quality of life in patients with BCRL.…”

Harnessing the Neurobiology of Resilience to Protect the Mental Well-Being of Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Conversely, lower levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and elevations of the chemokine CX3CL1 have been identified as potential markers of resilience (Imai et al, 2019;Zhang et al, 2020a). In a more general manner, research in animals has shown that exposure to social stress is associated with increase in levels of specific cytokines (IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, IL-22, and TNFα), and these changes are correlated with behavioral responses to stress, and these changes have been associated with reduced neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity (Hodes et al, 2014;Muhie et al, 2017).…”

“…Changes in several inflammatory markers, such as elevations in C-reactive protein (CRP), lowered levels of the cytokines interferon-gamma (IFNγ) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), and elevated levels of the chemokines CCL13, CCL20, and CXCL6 have all been associated with an increased risk of PTSD following exposure to traumatic stressors ( Eraly et al, 2014 ; Michopoulos et al, 2020 ; Zhang et al, 2020a ). Conversely, lower levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and elevations of the chemokine CX3CL1 have been identified as potential markers of resilience ( Imai et al, 2019 ; Zhang et al, 2020a ). In a more general manner, research in animals has shown that exposure to social stress is associated with increase in levels of specific cytokines (IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, IL-22, and TNFα), and these changes are correlated with behavioral responses to stress, and these changes have been associated with reduced neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity ( Hodes et al, 2014 ; Muhie et al, 2017 ).…”