title: Effects of metyrapone and dexamethasone on pro-gamma-MSH and ACTH levels in depressed patients.
abstract: There is current controversy over the mechanisms underlying hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity in depression. Pro-gamma-MSH, a portion of the N-terminal region of POMC, has been shown to act synergistically with ACTH in stimulating corticosteroid secretion in vitro and in vivo. Pro-gamma-MSH and ACTH plasma levels were measured in 30 drug-free male patients with a DSM-III-R major depressive disorder and 21 healthy controls. The baseline levels were similar in the two groups. After single-dose metyrapone stimulation, both hormones increased, but pro-gamma-MSH was significantly higher in control subjects than in depressives. After overnight 1 mg dexamethasone, ACTH was significantly less suppressed in depressives than controls. These results suggest that HPA axis dysregulation in depression may involve peptides other than ACTH and be more complex than previously reported.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Semeiotica Medica, University of Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sonino
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Fava
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Morphy
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Pedersen
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000523:psychology; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008797:Metyrapone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D010901:Pituitary Function Tests; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin / Q000097:blood*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
chemical_list: D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin; D003907:Dexamethasone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D008797:Metyrapone