title: An augmented escape of beta-endorphins to suppression by dexamethasone in severely depressed patients.
abstract: Baseline beta-endorphin and cortisol levels and their responses to 1 mg dexamethasone were measured in 11 healthy controls and in 35 depressed patients, categorized according to the DSM-III. Dexamethasone significantly suppressed beta-endorphin levels. Depressed patients with melancholia/psychotic features exhibited significantly increased post-dexamethasone beta-endorphin levels compared with healthy controls, minor and simple major depressives; the baseline beta-endorphin levels did not differ between those study samples. Post-dexamethasone beta-endorphin and cortisol values were found to be significantly and positively correlated. Accordingly, cortisol non-suppressors showed significantly higher post-dexamethasone beta-endorphin levels. Post-dexamethasone beta-endorphin may be the most sensitive and specific reflection of the disorder in negative feedback exerted by dexamethasone in depression.
authors: Psychiatric Centre St. Jozef, Munsterbilzen, Belgium.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Maes
authors: M P
authors: MP
authors: Jacobs
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Suy
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Leclercq
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Christiaens
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Raus
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D003907:Dexamethasone; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D001615:beta-Endorphin; D003907:Dexamethasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone