Plasma ANP and BNP during exercise in patients with major depressive disorder and in healthy controls.
BACKGROUND
Increased levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) have been shown to reduce the hormones in the HPA axis. In this study we addressed the question whether patients with unmedicated major depressive disorder (MDD) might have altered baseline levels of these natriuretic peptides and an altered response to acute exercise.


METHODS
An incremental exercise test was performed in 18 patients with MDD and in 18 healthy controls. Plasma concentrations of ANP and BNP were determined at rest, during the exercise test and 30 min post exercise using immunoradiometric assays.


RESULTS
During the exercise test the concentrations of ANP and BNP increased significantly in both groups. The MDD group showed significantly lower levels of ANP than the controls at rest, at maximal work rate and post exercise and of BNP at rest and at maximal work rate. The dynamic changes of both ANP and BNP, respectively, from baseline to maximal work rate were significantly lower in the MDD group. A slightly lower (non-significant) maximal work rate was observed in the MDD group compared with the controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Group sizes are relatively limited.


CONCLUSIONS
Lower concentrations of ANP and BNP during rest and exercise were observed in the MDD patients together with a decreased dynamic response to maximal exercise. Hypothetically, the reduced ANP and BNP concentration contributes to the high hormone levels in the HPA system seen in depressive disorders. Of interest for future research is whether physical training might increase the levels of ANP and BNP and thereby diminish depressive symptoms.
Wisén
Anita G M
AG
Division of Physiotherapy, Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden. anita.wisen@med.lu.se
Ekberg
Kristina
K
Wohlfart
Björn
B
Ekman
Rolf
R
Westrin
Asa
A
D000328:Adult; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D012146:Rest / Q000502:physiology
D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor