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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by rbob on December 16, 2008, at 19:41:03
Hey veryone, I tried to post this earlier but I don't see any evidence that it actually got out there. I apologize if this a duplicate.
I have seen numerous references to MAOIs improving immune system function, but I never see any explanation of how. Could someone please explain how the process works? Additionally, will they have any effect on serum IgM or IgG subclasses?
Any help you can throw my way will be much appreciated.
Posted by Phillipa on December 17, 2008, at 0:52:42
In reply to How do MAOIs affect the immune system?, posted by rbob on December 16, 2008, at 19:41:03
See your new welcome to babble. Love Phillipa sorry not a med expert but I know they will come along. Good luck with your thread.
Posted by SLS on December 17, 2008, at 6:41:32
In reply to How do MAOIs affect the immune system?, posted by rbob on December 16, 2008, at 19:41:03
Hi.
I am not familiar with MAOIs having a direct effect on the immune system. However, depression is well known to suppress the immune system. Any drug that improves depression will also improve immune function. There are many pathways by which this can happen. Normalizing the HPA axis from hypersecretion of glucocorticoids is very likely to be a major influence on improving immune function. Paradoxically, increases in the activity of certain types of cytokine mediated immune responses might actually produce depression or make it worse. This might be the result of the spread of inflammatory responses throughout the brain. Several candidates for antidepressants are cytokine receptor antagonists.
Can you provide some Internet links describing a direct MAOI-immune system connection?
- Scott
Posted by rbob on December 17, 2008, at 16:03:52
In reply to Re: How do MAOIs affect the immune system? » rbob, posted by SLS on December 17, 2008, at 6:41:32
Hi Scott,
> Can you provide some Internet links describing a
> direct MAOI-immune system connection?Hmm... your request actually helped me find references that provide some insight. Oddly, I couldn't find the vague references to this feature of the MAOIs that prompted my post here in the first place.
I could still use some help interpreting what it all means, although I will be researching on my own, too.
http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0163445304000593
The immunostimulating and antimicrobial properties of lithium and antidepressants .
Journal of Infection , Volume 49 , Issue 2 , Pages 88 - 93 J . LiebHere are a few quotes (I'll focus on MAOIs only, although lithium and other ADs are discussed):
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) inhibit PGE2 synthesis by limiting the mobilization of [arachidonic acid]
MAOIs can remit tuberculosis, aphthous ulcers,
cold sores, genital herpes, upper respiratory tract
infections and plantar warts. Furazolidone, the
veterinary antibiotic, is a MAOI.-----------------------------------
Apparently the TCAs, SSRIs, and the MAOIs all have certain anti-viral and anti-microbial effects as well. (I'd be happy to pull that info out and post it separately, if there's interest.)
The journal article above has a pretty extensive list of references that describe all sorts of wild things that ADs can do to your immune system or to specific microbes.
Unfortunately, I don't know if the "only" immunomodulatory effect is PG inhibition, or if it was just what this article decided to focus on. Secondarily, I'm not entirely clear what PG inhibition results in. ;) It might be better explained in the article, but I haven't gotten through it all yet.
Can you guys help me figure out what this stuff implies?
Posted by desolationrower on December 17, 2008, at 17:32:46
In reply to Re: How do MAOIs affect the immune system?, posted by rbob on December 17, 2008, at 16:03:52
The first MAOI (and first marketed antidepressant) iproniazid was actually developed first for tuberculosis. There is a newer antibiotic that also is an MAOI though not used for antidepressant purposes. And generally speaking, antidepressants have downstream normlization of inflammation that can be part of depression (my guess is bupropion and st johns wort work through immune modulation primarily). I'm not sure if there is any further connexion, or direct modulation. Lithium of course is involved in many reactions in the body, as most minerals are. I guess thats not really much help.
-d/r
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