Glucocorticoid receptors in depression: relationship to the dexamethasone suppression test.
Cytoplasmic glucocorticoid receptor content wa quantitated in lymphocytes from unmedicated depressed patients and control subjects before and after a standardized dexamethasone suppression test. Depressed patients (N = 11) had significantly lower (32%) basal cytoplasmic glucocorticoid receptor content than the control group (N = 14). Suppression of serum cortisol (5.0 micrograms/dl or less) in both control and depressed subjects (N = 16) following dexamethasone (1 mg) was associated with a decrease in lymphocyte cytoplasmic glucocorticoid receptor number, whereas no such change occurred in cortisol nonsuppressors (N = 9). Changes in receptor concentration were positively correlated with postdexamethasone serum cortisol levels and with the inhibitory effect of dexamethasone on mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation.
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000032:analysis* / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000032:analysis* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012737:Sex Factors
D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid; D003907:Dexamethasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone