title: Reduced natural killer cell activity in major depression: neuroendocrine implications.
abstract: Natural killer cell activity (NKCA) was significantly reduced in a group of depressed patients, melancholic subtype, compared to sex- and age-matched controls. Corticotropin and cortisol values were significantly higher in the depressed subjects than in the controls, but no correlation between high hormone levels and low immunological activity was found in the patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nerozzi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Santoni
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bersani
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Magnani
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bressan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pasini
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Antonozzi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Frajese
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D003863:Depression / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone