[Interleukin level in endogenous depression].

Interleukin level and mononuclear phagocytes (MPh) activity have been studied in 19 patients with mono- and bipolar depression. All the patients were examined at admission to a hospital before treatment. The depression was characterized by low MPh activity, a significant (p < 0.05) fall in IL-1 beta production by stimulated monocytes, a trend to reduction of IL-2 production by stimulated lymphocytes, significant (p < 0.05) IL-2 serum concentration increase and significant (p = 0.05) decrease of soluble IL-2 receptor (siL-2R) concentration in the serum. Significant positive correlation (r = 0.76; p < 0.05) between MPh activity and IL-1 beta production has been found. Interleukin alterations were most manifest at the early disease stage (symptoms onset is less than one year). It is suggested that IL-2 accumulation in the blood serum in these patients is strongly influenced by a significant decrease of siL-2R serum concentration. MPh (the main IL-2 producers) activity reduction results in the monocyte IL-1 beta production decrease followed by changes in interleukin (in particular, IL-2) production by lymphocytes and other changes in interleukin system.