Effects of glucocorticoids on the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-somatotropic system in depression.
In order to evaluate the possible effect of glucocorticoids as neuromodulators of the hypothalamic-pituitary-somatotropic system in depression, cortisol, growth hormone (GH), and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) concentrations were studied before and after oral administration of 1 mg dexamethasone at 11 p.m. in 16 patients during depression and after recovery and in 28 healthy controls. While there were no significant differences in GH and IGF-I levels between depressed, recovered and control subjects, GH and IGF-I concentrations of cortisol non-suppressors were significantly elevated compared to suppressors. Moreover, post-dexamethasone cortisol, GH, and IGF-I levels were positively correlated. Dexamethasone had a stimulating effect on GH and IGF-I values in patients during depression and in cortisol non-suppressors only; this effect was absent in recovered and in control subjects and in cortisol suppressors. Thus, hypercortisolemia may be of great importance for the dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-somatotropic system reported in depression.
Rupprecht
R
R
Department of Psychiatry, Universität Würzburg, F.R.G.
Rupprecht
C
C
Rupprecht
M
M
Noder
M
M
Lesch
K P
KP
Mössner
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D003907:Dexamethasone; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D013002:Somatomedins / Q000097:blood*
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D013002:Somatomedins; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D003907:Dexamethasone; D013006:Growth Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone