Role of monocytes in the development of psychovegetative disorders in young people with undifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia

BACKGROUND: The immune system plays an important role in the development of neuropathology. Dysfunction of monocytes/macrophages can contribute to environmental health and the development of neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases. Two subpopulations of monocytes are distinguished, namely, anti-inflammatory and activated pro-inflammatory monocytes, producing cytokines interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-2, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, which are involved in immune inflammation in mental diseases. Violations of cellular, phagocytic, and/or humoral immunity are often found in patients with undifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia (UCTD). Monocytes are assumed to be involved in the development of psychovegetative disorders in patients and connective tissue insufficiency.

AIM: To study the relationship between the number of monocytes and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α) in the peripheral blood with possible non-psychotic diseases and autonomic dysfunction syndrome in UCTD in young people.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined 95 people aged 18–22 years. Neuropsychological examination, general clinical blood tests, pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α), markers of neurodegeneration (neuron-specific enolase) and cerebral ischemia (antibodies to NR2) were sent.

RESULTS: An increase in the absolute monocyte count in the peripheral blood is accompanied by a lesser severity of psychovegetative, ischemic, and neurodegenerative cases. An inverse correlation was found between the level of monocytes in the peripheral blood and the number of UCTD indicators, a direct correlation between UCTD and autonomic dysfunction syndrome (ADS), asthenic condition, personal anxiety, depression, neurosis, Internet addiction, and headache research index for everyday life. Severe UCTD leads to a change in the proportion of monocytes in the use of the pro-inflammatory subpopulation, which is probably one of the reasons for the numerous non-psychotic diseases and autonomic nervous system diseases in these patients.

CONCLUSION: An increase in the pro-inflammatory monocyte count in severe UCTD plays an important role in the development of psychovegetative disorders. The correction of the dysplastic process can become an important role in the prevention and detection of various neurological and non-psychotic diseases, such as ADS and anxiety–depressive syndrome in young people.