An exploratory approach demonstrating immune skewing and a loss of coordination among cytokines in plasma and saliva of Veterans with combat-related PTSD

Studies have suggested PTSD to be associated with an inflammatory state, although few studies have examined the balances between stimulatory and inhibitory immune mediators in PTSD. An exploratory approach was taken to assess the immune imbalances between Th1 stimulatory, inflammatory and inhibitory mediators associated with PTSD. This approach focused on a tightly-controlled and relatively homogeneous population of Veterans, all with similar levels of combat exposure in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, but some testing negative and others testing positive for PTSD. Although the sample size was small (6 controls and 7 with PTSD) and a limitation of this study, the results showed significant imbalances in immune cytokines favoring a Th1 and inflammatory state, with reduced levels of inhibitory cytokines in Veterans with PTSD. This was particularly prominent in the saliva of PTSD subjects compared to in their plasma.