Document Detail


Stimulation of the pituitary-adrenal system with graded doses of CRH and low dose vasopressin infusion in depressed patients and healthy subjects: a pilot study.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  8111227     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
A corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) stimulation test with four cumulative doses of human CRH (0.01, 0.06, 0.2 and 1 microgram/kg body weight) and infusion of a low dose of [Arg8]-vasopressin (0.004 U/kg body weight/30 min) was performed in five depressed patients and six healthy subjects. Plasma samples for the measurement of cortisol, ACTH and beta-endorphin were taken at regular intervals and considered as measures of pituitary-adrenal function. A dose-response relationship between CRH and the hormones measured was found in patients and controls. Depressed patients already responded to the lowest dose of CRH with respect to cortisol release, whereas ACTH and beta-endorphin responded to the second and third doses, respectively. In control subjects the cortisol and ACTH response started after the third dose of CRH, whereas beta-endorphin responded significantly to the highest dose only. When both groups were compared, differences in response were found to the higher doses of CRH with respect to cortisol, ACTH and, less markedly, beta-endorphin and to the lowest dose of CRH with respect to cortisol. Although numbers are small, the data show 'blunting' of the ACTH response to the higher doses of CRH in patients with an enhanced cortisol response of the adrenals to lower and higher doses of CRH. There was no significant difference in response when CRH was used with vasopressin as compared to treatment with CRH alone. Thus, in this design vasopressin did not contribute significantly to CRH activity. The data suggest that pituitary cell sensitivity might be changed in depression as part of HPA dysfunction.
Authors:
C C Gispen-de Wied; F W Kok; H P Koppeschaar; H J Wynne; H G Westenberg; J H Thijssen; J M van Ree
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Comparative Study; Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  European neuropsychopharmacology : the journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology     Volume:  3     ISSN:  0924-977X     ISO Abbreviation:  Eur Neuropsychopharmacol     Publication Date:  1993 Dec 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1994-03-31     Completed Date:  1994-03-31     Revised Date:  2006-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9111390     Medline TA:  Eur Neuropsychopharmacol     Country:  NETHERLANDS    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  533-41     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Academic Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / blood
Adult
Arginine Vasopressin / administration & dosage,  pharmacology*
Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / pharmacology*
Depressive Disorder / metabolism*,  psychology
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Female
Humans
Hydrocortisone / blood
Infusions, Intravenous
Male
Middle Aged
Pilot Projects
Pituitary-Adrenal System / drug effects*
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Stimulation, Chemical
beta-Endorphin / blood
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
113-79-1/Arginine Vasopressin; 50-23-7/Hydrocortisone; 60617-12-1/beta-Endorphin; 9002-60-2/Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; 9015-71-8/Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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