Partial 11 beta-hydroxylase activity suppression after dexamethasone in patients with major depression.
Eleven beta-hydroxylase activity was assessed by measuring the cortisol to 11-deoxycortisol ratio in 20 control subjects, 38 patients with major depression, and five patients with Cushing's disease before and after 1 mg of dexamethasone. The mean levels of 11 beta-hydroxylase activity did not differ among groups before dexamethasone. After dexamethasone patients with Cushing's disease showed a nonsignificant increase in 11 beta-hydroxylase activity while patients with major depression and controls subjects both showed a decrease. Endogenous depressive patients were no more likely to show high 11 beta-hydroxylase activity than neurotic depressive patients; however, depressed patients with cortisol nonsuppression after dexamethasone were. Post-dexamethasone 11 beta-hydroxylase activity is positively correlated with age in both control subjects and patients with depression.
Kathol
R G
RG
Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City.
Gehris
T L
TL
Jaeckle
R
R
D000328:Adult; D003350:Cortodoxone / Q000097:blood; D003480:Cushing Syndrome / Q000201:enzymology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000201:enzymology*; D003907:Dexamethasone; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013252:Steroid 11-beta-Hydroxylase / Q000378:metabolism*; D013250:Steroid Hydroxylases / Q000378:metabolism*
D003907:Dexamethasone; D013250:Steroid Hydroxylases; D013252:Steroid 11-beta-Hydroxylase; D003350:Cortodoxone; D006854:Hydrocortisone