J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2008 Sep;47(5):481-487.

Natural Killer Cell Activity in North Korean Defectors with PTSD

• Kim BC
• Jeong SH
• Rim HD
• Choi JH
• Jeon JH
• Jeon YW

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The objective of this study was to evaluate an association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and altered immunity in North Korean defectors who were more likely to develop medical conditions and other stress-related psychiatric disorders.
METHODS
Twenty-four North Korean defectors with PTSD and twenty-two controls without PTSD were recruited from the resettlement and training center for North Korean defectors in South Korea. Peripheral T lymphocyte subsets, natural killer (NK) cells, NK cell activity and plasma hormones (ACTH and cortisol) were obtained from all subjects. We also applied the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A) for all subjects.
RESULTS
We found NK cell activity was relatively lower than number of NK cells in North Korean defectors with PTSD. Subjects with PTSD had higher HAM-D and HAM-A scores than controls. However, there were no statistical differences in ACTH, cortisol, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD4/CD8 ratio, CD19 and CD56 between the two groups.
CONCLUSION
These findings suggest North Korean defectors with PTSD show higher levels of depression, anxiety and impaired or weak immune function in NK cells.

Keyword

NK cells; Posttraumatic stress disorder; North Korean defectors; Immunity

MeSH Terms

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
Anxiety
Depression
Hydrocortisone
Killer Cells, Natural
Plasma
Republic of Korea
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
T-Lymphocyte Subsets
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
Hydrocortisone