Inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in post-traumatic stress disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Peruzzolo, Tatiana Lauxen ; Pinto, Jairo Vinicius ; Roza, Thiago Henrique ; Shintani, Augusto Ossamu ; Anzolin, Ana Paula ; Gnielka, Vanessa ; Kohmann, Andre Moura ; Marin, Amanda Salvador ; Lorenzon, Vitoria Ruschel ; Brunoni, Andre Russowsky ; Kapczinski, Flavio ; Passos, Ives Cavalcante

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY; v. 27, n. 8, p. 14-pg., 2022-04-27.

Abstract

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been associated with persistent, low-degree inflammation, which could explain the increased prevalence of autoimmune conditions and accelerated aging among patients. The aim of the present study is to assess which inflammatory and oxidative stress markers are associated with PTSD. We carried out a meta-analytic and meta-regression analysis based on a systematic review of studies comparing inflammatory and oxidative stress markers between patients with PTSD and controls. We undertook meta-analyses whenever values of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers were available in two or more studies. Overall, 28,008 abstracts were identified, and 54 studies were included, with a total of 8394 participants. The Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale was used to evaluate the quality of the studies. Concentrations of C-reactive protein (SMD = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.21 to 1.06; p = 0.0031; k = 12), interleukin 6 (SMD = 0.94; 95% CI: 0.36 to 1.52; p = 0.0014; k = 32), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (SMD = 0.89; 95% CI: 0.23 to 1.55; p = 0.0080; k = 24) were significantly increased in patients with PTSD in comparison with healthy controls. Interleukin 1 beta levels almost reached the threshold for significance (SMD = 1.20; 95% CI: -0.04 to 2.44; p = 0.0569; k = 15). No oxidative stress marker was associated with PTSD. These findings may explain why PTSD is associated with accelerated aging and illnesses in which immune activation has a key role, such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. In addition, they pointed to the potential role of inflammatory markers as therapeutic targets. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/05441-9 - Mental health impact on the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in São Paulo State participants of the Brazilian longitudinal health study (ELSA-Brasil)
• Grantee: Isabela Judith Martins Bensenor
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants