title: Differential modulation of cytokine production in major depressive disorder by cortisol and dexamethasone.
abstract: In major depressive disorder (MDD), there is increasing evidence of a relationship between neuroendocrine and immunological alterations. Therefore, we investigated the influence of cortisol and dexamethasone on the in vitro production of TNF-alpha and IL-6 in blood cells of depressed inpatients at admission, in the course of MDD and in healthy controls. Patients were psychopathologically classified as responders and non-responders after a 6-week antidepressant treatment. At admission in the responder subgroup, incubation with both steroids under basal conditions resulted in an increase of TNF-alpha levels, which decreased after treatment. After stimulation with phytohemagglutinin, an enhancement of TNF-alpha suppression by steroids was detectable after successful antidepressive treatment. A significant relationship was seen between the cortisol-induced modulation of TNF-alpha levels and the psychopathology in this subgroup. Under basal conditions, IL-6 levels were increased after treatment with both steroids. The data suggest a normalization of the altered effects of glucocorticoids on TNF-alpha production in the responder subgroup only.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Rudolf-Bultmann-Str. 8, 35033 Marburg/Lahn, Germany.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Heiser
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lanquillon
authors.forename: J-C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Krieg
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vedder
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D003907:Dexamethasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone