Changes in inflammatory biomarkers are related to the antidepressant effects of Ayahuasca

• Published in: Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford) 2020-10, Vol.34 (10), p.1125-1133
• Main Authors: Galvão-Coelho, Nicole Leite, de Menezes Galvão, Ana Cecília, de Almeida, Raíssa Nóbrega, Palhano-Fontes, Fernanda, Campos Braga, Isaac, Lobão Soares, Bruno, Maia-de-Oliveira, João Paulo, Perkins, Daniel, Sarris, Jerome, de Araujo, Draulio Barros
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antidepressants; Biomarkers; Brain-derived neurotrophic factor; C-reactive protein; Clinical trials; Cytokines; Inflammation; Interleukin 6; Mental depression; Patients; Proteins; Psychedelic drugs; Psychotropic drugs; Remission
• ISSN: 0269-8811; 1461-7285
• DOI: 10.1177/0269881120936486

Background: Ayahuasca is a traditional Amazon brew and its potential antidepressant properties have recently been explored in scientific settings. We conducted a double-blind placebo-controlled trial of ayahuasca with treatment-resistant depression patients (n = 28) and healthy controls (n = 45). Aims: We are evaluating the blood inflammatory biomarkers: C-reactive protein and interleukin 6, as a potential consequence of ayahuasca intake and their correlation with serum cortisol and brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels. Blood samples were collected at pre-treatment and 48 hours after substance ingestion to assess the concentration of inflammatory biomarkers, together with administration of the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale. Results: At pre-treatment, patients showed higher C-reactive protein levels than healthy controls and a significant negative correlation between C-reactive protein and serum cortisol levels was revealed (rho = –0.40, n = 14). C-reactive protein in those patients was not correlated with Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale scores. We observed a significant reduction of C-reactive protein levels across time in both patients and controls treated with ayahuasca, but not with placebo. Patients treated with ayahuasca showed a significant correlation (rho = + 0.57) between larger reductions of C-reactive protein and lower depressive symptoms at 48 hours after substance ingestion (Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale). No significant result with respect to interleukin 6 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor was found. Furthermore, these biomarkers did not predict the antidepressant response or remission rates observed. Conclusions: These findings enhance the understanding of the biological mechanisms behind the observed antidepressant effects of ayahuasca and encourage further clinical trials in adults with depression.