How depression may increase cardiac risk: effect of hypercortisolism on platelet activation markers: preliminary data.
BACKGROUND
Hypercortisolism, as seen in the majority of patients with major depression, may be associated with the generation of platelets that show signs of increased activation.


METHODS
Within a study using a placebo-controlled double-blind cross-over design, 9 healthy subjects ingested hydrocortisone (daily dose = 40 mg) or placebo on 7 consecutive days. At the end of each study segment, we analyzed platelets for the surface activation markers P-selectin, glycoprotein 53, and PAC-1 and measured platelet-leucocyte aggregates in serum.


RESULTS
Hydrocortisone ingestion was not associated with changes in the platelet activation markers P-selectin and PAC-1 or the number of circulating platelet-leucocyte aggregates but with a trend (p = 0.056) toward higher expression of glycoprotein 53 on the platelet surface.


CONCLUSIONS
Induction of hypercortisolism in healthy volunteers was not associated with a major increase in platelet activation markers.
Baranyai
Réka
R
Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Germany.
Nonell
Annemarie
A
Deuschle
Michael
M
Lederbogen
Florian
F
D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003480:Cushing Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D054641:Dual Specificity Phosphatase 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D019007:P-Selectin / Q000378:metabolism*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015539:Platelet Activation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012016:Reference Values; D060149:Tetraspanin 30
D015703:Antigens, CD; C554586:CD63 protein, human; D019007:P-Selectin; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins; D060149:Tetraspanin 30; C517032:DUSP2 protein, human; D054641:Dual Specificity Phosphatase 2; D006854:Hydrocortisone