Zhu SY, Fu Y, Li JZ, Zhang Z, Wang THS, Hu J, Li J. Review of serum inflammatory markers linked to depression and sleep quality in irritable bowel syndrome patients. World J Psychiatry 2026; 16(9): 121171 [DOI: 10.5498/wjp.121171]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Ji Li, Professor, Department of Basic Medical College, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, No. 24 Heping Road, Xiangfang District, Harbin 150040, Heilongjiang Province, China. 18346079850@163.com
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Psychiatry
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review-article
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Zhu SY, Fu Y, Li JZ, Zhang Z, Wang THS, Hu J, Li J. Review of serum inflammatory markers linked to depression and sleep quality in irritable bowel syndrome patients. World J Psychiatry 2026; 16(9): 121171 [DOI: 10.5498/wjp.121171]
World J Psychiatry. Sep 19, 2026; 16(9): 121171 Published online Sep 19, 2026. doi: 10.5498/wjp.121171
Review of serum inflammatory markers linked to depression and sleep quality in irritable bowel syndrome patients
Si-Yu Zhu, Yin Fu, Jia-Ze Li, Zhe Zhang, Te-Ha-Si Wang, Jun Hu, Ji Li
Si-Yu Zhu, Zhe Zhang, Te-Ha-Si Wang, Jun Hu, Department of First Clinical Medical College, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150040, Heilongjiang Province, China
Yin Fu, Ji Li, Department of Basic Medical College, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150040, Heilongjiang Province, China
Jia-Ze Li, Department of Liver, Spleen and Stomach, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150040, Heilongjiang Province, China
Author contributions: Zhu SY and Fu Y contributed to the conception and design of the study; Li JZ and Zhang Z performed the literature search, data collection, and analysis; Wang THS and Hu J drafted the manuscript and prepared the figure; Li J critically revised the manuscript for important intellectual content and supervised the overall work; all authors reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript.
AI contribution statement: The authors confirm that no AI tools or technologies were used at any stage of manuscript preparation, including but not limited to data collection, analysis, writing, or language refinement. The authors assume full responsibility and accountability for the integrity, accuracy, originality, and scientific validity of the manuscript and all submitted materials.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare no conflict of interest in publishing the manuscript.
Corresponding author: Ji Li, Professor, Department of Basic Medical College, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, No. 24 Heping Road, Xiangfang District, Harbin 150040, Heilongjiang Province, China. 18346079850@163.com
Received: April 24, 2026 Revised: May 28, 2026 Accepted: June 26, 2026 Published online: September 19, 2026 Processing time: 121 Days and 20.7 Hours
Abstract
Depression and poor sleep quality in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) represent a clinical syndrome associated with neurological damage caused by IBS. This condition significantly affects the quality of life and recovery of the patients, but the mechanism is currently unclear. Recent studies have shown that serum inflammatory indicators play an important role in the occurrence and development of depression and sleep disorders in IBS through various pathways. This article mainly reviews the correlations between representative serum inflammatory indicators interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-8 and depression and sleep disorders in IBS, providing new ideas for the prevention and treatment of depression and sleep disorders in IBS.
Core Tip: This minireview innovatively summarizes the correlation between serum inflammatory markers and the occurrence of depression and sleep disorders in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. It specifically focuses on interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-8, highlighting the crucial role of the gut-brain axis and systemic inflammation in this process. The review proposes that monitoring and targeting these inflammatory indicators could offer new strategies for preventing and treating these common irritable bowel syndrome comorbidities.
