Reduced sensitivity to glucocorticoid feedback and reduced glucocorticoid receptor mRNA expression in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.
We examined the effects of the menstrual cycle on hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis regulation in healthy women with no history of psychiatric illness by measuring plasma cortisol responses to a low-dose (0.25 mg) of dexamethasone (N = 23) and by measuring glucocorticoid receptor (type II) mRNA expression in lymphocytes using Northern blotting (N = 19). Both measures were performed in the early follicular and mid-luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Dexamethasone suppression of plasma cortisol was greater in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle compared to the mid-luteal phase (p < .01). In addition, type II glucocorticoid receptor mRNA expression in lymphocytes was 78% higher in the follicular phase compared to the mid-luteal phase (p < .02). These results indicate that glucocorticoid feedback regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is reduced in the mid-luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Reduced feedback regulation of central stress response systems may play a role in generation of common premenstrual symptoms of irritability and dysphoria.
Altemus
M
M
Department of Psychiatry, Cornell University Medical College, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Redwine
L
L
Leong
Y M
YM
Yoshikawa
T
T
Yehuda
R
R
Detera-Wadleigh
S
S
Murphy
D L
DL
D000328:Adult; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D005246:Feedback / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid; D003907:Dexamethasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone