Higher levels of serum IL-1β and TNF-α are associated with an increased probability of major depressive disorder

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a debilitating psychiatric disease. The dysregulated cytokines in depression are assumed due to the hyperactivation of the immune system. Here we aimed to evaluate the serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in MDD. This study recruited 87 MDD patients and 87 age and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs). The increased levels of serum IL-1β and TNF-α were observed among MDD patients. These higher levels of peripheral markers were positively correlated with the severity of depression. Therefore, the elevated levels of serum IL-1β and TNF-α might be used as risk assessment indicators for depression.