Beta-endorphin responses to metyrapone and dexamethasone in depressed patients.
Controversy continues over the characteristics of beta-endorphin secretion in depression. Beta-endorphin plasma levels were measured in 30 drug-free male patients with a DSM-III-R major depressive disorder and 21 healthy controls. Depressed patients displayed significantly lower beta-endorphin plasma levels in baseline conditions, after the single dose metyrapone test, and after the dexamethasone suppression test. The activation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in depression might be due, at least in part, to low levels of beta-endorphin. These results suggest that HPA axis dysregulation in depression may involve peptides other than ACTH.
Morphy
M A
MA
Department of Psychiatry, State University of New York, Buffalo.
Fava
G A
GA
Pedersen
R C
RC
Zielezny
M
M
Sonino
N
N
Brownie
A C
AC
D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008797:Metyrapone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin / Q000097:blood; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood*
D001615:beta-Endorphin; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin; D003907:Dexamethasone; D008797:Metyrapone