The effects of vitamin B on the immune/cytokine network and their involvement in depression

Kathleen Mikkelsen; Lily Stojanovska; Monica Prakash; Vasso Apostolopoulos

doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2016.11.012

The effects of vitamin B on the immune/cytokine network and their involvement in depression

Maturitas. 2017 Feb:96:58-71. doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2016.11.012. Epub 2016 Nov 19.

Authors

Kathleen Mikkelsen¹, Lily Stojanovska¹, Monica Prakash¹, Vasso Apostolopoulos²

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Chronic Disease, College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, PO Box 14426, Melbourne, VIC 8001, Australia.
² Centre for Chronic Disease, College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, PO Box 14426, Melbourne, VIC 8001, Australia. Electronic address: vasso.apostolopoulos@vu.edu.au.

PMID: 28041597
DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2016.11.012

Abstract

Increasing evidence indicates that there are various interactions between the nervous system and the immune system, and that the immune system plays an important role in the pathogenesis of depression. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (such as IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α) have been implicated in the neurobiological manifestations of depression. The immune/cytokine network has a powerful influence on the brain. In addition, deficiency in B vitamins has been linked to depression. Hence, greater knowledge of how immune cells change in the presence of vitamin B derivatives could improve understanding of how immune changes may correlate with depression, all of which are discussed herein.

Keywords: Depression; Immune cells; Immune system; Inflammation; Mental health.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Cytokines / immunology*
Depression / immunology*
Humans
Immune System*
Interleukin-1 / immunology
Interleukin-6 / immunology
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / immunology
Vitamin B Complex / immunology*
Vitamin B Deficiency / complications*

Substances

Cytokines
Interleukin-1
Interleukin-6
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
Vitamin B Complex