A Role for Endotoxin in Clinical Depression

Chronic activation of the inflammatory response plays a role in clinical depression.  This inflammation is associated with increases in endotoxin-specific IgA, indicating that bacterial translocation is significant.  An international group of scientists led by the Polish Academy of Science used this observation to develop an animal model for depression using endotoxin injections.  With this model they were able to demonstrate a reversal of endotoxin-induced effects with an antidepressant.  This work, published in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, underscores the importance of endotoxin in neurobehavioral conditions.

Refer to the following paper:

"A new animal model of (chronic) depression induced by repeated and intermittent lipopolysaccharide administration for 4 months."

Scientists at BioDtech, Inc. have measured previously undetectable levels of endotoxin which could cause activation of the immune system.  BioDtech products are designed to more accurately detect endotoxin and remove it from proteins and DNA.

Posted by Tim Sandle