engleski

Immune reactivity in soldiers with PTSD.

General stress response includes activation of integrated neuroendocrine and immune systems. A bidirectional intercellular (auto)regulatory circuits exist between the two systems, communicating through common signalling molecules. These comprise neuropeptides, hormones and cytokines, and their receptors. Sympathetic nervous system directly innervates lymphoid organs where leukocytes respond to locally released catecholamines. Activated HPA axis, through plethora of its hormones also modulate functional capacities of immune cells. On the other hand afferent, immune-to-brain, communication is achieved through immunopeptides, cytokines, that reach CNS by systemic humoral route or bind to receptors expressed by vagus and sympathetic nonciceptive afferents. The influence of acute and chronic exposure to physical and/or psychological stress on immune system has been well established. Changes in both proportions of the immune cell subpopulations and their functions has been reported. Although extensive work on psychophysiological and neuroendocrine changes in PTSD has been undertaken, investigations of immune status in PTSD sufferers has been scarce. In an attempt to assess possible changes of immune factors related to PTSD, we examined a group (N=191) of professional soldiers exposed to traumatic events associated with war (60 with severe symptoms of PTSD, 68 with mild PTSD symptoms, and 63 with no symptoms of PTSD assessed by a Croatian Stress Scale - CROSS), and a control group of persons (N=40) not exposed to traumatic events. All three groups of trauma survivors had decreased percentages of T(CD3) lymphocytes in comparison to the controls. The percentages of B(CD20) lymphocytes in trauma survivors who developed PTSD were increased compared to those without PTSD, and controls. The percentage of T helper memory (CD4+CD45RO+) cells in the group with severe PTSD symptoms, though not different from controls, was higher than in both, group with mild, and without PTSD symptoms. Although the percentage of NK(CD16,56) cells in trauma survivors did not differ from controls, their cytotoxic function was enhanced compared to that of controls. In conclusion, alterations in the main parameters of the immune system are associated with traumatic experience and PTSD diagnosis. Furthermore, somewhat different imunologic pattern was observed in trauma survivors with and without PTSD symptoms.

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