title: Comparison of immunological and endocrinological markers associated with major depression.
abstract: Natural-killer-(NK)-cell activity and blood levels of interleukin 2 (IL-2), dehydro-epiandrosterone (DHEA), DHEA sulphate (DHEA-S) and cortisol were measured in 17 patients with major depression and 10 control subjects. Depression severity was evaluated using the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale. NK-cell activity and IL-2 levels were measured using a chromium-51 release test and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Radio-immunoassays were used to measure serum cortisol, DHEA and DHEA-S. As would be expected, patients with major depression had a higher score on the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale than healthy controls. Compared with controls, NK-cell activity and levels of cortisol and DHEA were reduced in patients with major depression, whereas IL-2 levels were increased. No difference was observed in DHEA-S levels between patients and controls. A reduction in NK-cell activity and DHEA levels, and an increase in IL-2 levels appear to be associated with major depression. Whether these changes are the cause or the consequence of the depression remains to be determined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, Jozuka Mental Clinic and JMC Stress Medical Institute, Aichi, Japan. hjozuka@aichi.med.or.jp
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jozuka
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jozuka
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takeuchi
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Nishikaze
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000097:blood; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood; D003863:Depression / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007376:Interleukin-2; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D006854:Hydrocortisone