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Objectives:Serum cytokine levels are implicated in the action of mechanism for acute-phase major depression. In this study, we intended to investigate the re-lationships between cytokine serum levels and treatment responses as well as body weight changes after a four-week antidepressant treatment in patients with major depressive disorders. Methods: Fifty-four major depressive patients were recruit-ed. Their serum cytokine levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) were examined using ELISA kits. Psychiatric diagnoses were made using the DSM-IV criteria. Severity of major depression was assessed using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Results: We found significantly lower base-line serum IL-10 level (p = 0.001) and significantly lower baseline IL-10/TGF-β1 ratio (p < 0.01) in responders compared to those in non-responders. In all patients after antidepressant treatment, we found a significant positive correlation between body weight change and TNF-α/TGF-β1 ratio change (p < 0.05). In responders alone, a significant positive correlation between body weight change and TNF-α/ TGF-β1 ratio change (p < 0.05) was found. In non-responders, a significant nega-tive correlation between body weight change and IL-10/TGF-β1 ratio change (p < 0.01) was found. Conclusion: Serum levels of TNF-α, IL-10 and TGF-β1 could be used to predict the treatment response and body weight change in patients with major depression.