title: The effects of dexamethasone on plasma homovanillic acid and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol. Evidence for abnormal corticosteroid-catecholamine interactions in major depression.
abstract: We investigated the possible interactions between corticosteroids and catecholamines in depression by studying the effects of the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone on plasma levels of homovanillic acid (HVA) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) in a group of depressed patients and normal controls. In comparison with metabolite levels on a control day, normal controls showed a significant dexamethasone-induced increase in the plasma HVA level and a trend toward a decrease in the plasma MHPG level at 4 PM following dexamethasone administration (1 mg orally at 11 PM). Conversely, depressed patients, particularly those with psychotic features, showed a significant dexamethasone-induced increase in the plasma MHPG level and a blunting of the plasma HVA response relative to the normal controls. Dexamethasone-induced increases in the plasma MHPG level were directly correlated with the severity of depressive symptoms and with postdexamethasone cortisol levels in the depressed patients. These data suggest abnormal corticosteroid-catecholamine interactions in depression and, specifically, in depressed patients with psychotic features.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006018:Glycols / Q000097:blood*; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
chemical_list: D006018:Glycols; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol; D003907:Dexamethasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D006719:Homovanillic Acid