Biomaterial Database

Effects of metyrapone and dexamethasone on pro-gamma-MSH and ACTH levels in depressed patients. 1990

N Sonino, and G A Fava, and M A Morphy, and R C Pedersen

Institute of Semeiotica Medica, University of Padova, Italy.

There is current controversy over the mechanisms underlying hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity in depression. Pro-gamma-MSH, a portion of the N-terminal region of POMC, has been shown to act synergistically with ACTH in stimulating corticosteroid secretion in vitro and in vivo. Pro-gamma-MSH and ACTH plasma levels were measured in 30 drug-free male patients with a DSM-III-R major depressive disorder and 21 healthy controls. The baseline levels were similar in the two groups. After single-dose metyrapone stimulation, both hormones increased, but pro-gamma-MSH was significantly higher in control subjects than in depressives. After overnight 1 mg dexamethasone, ACTH was significantly less suppressed in depressives than controls. These results suggest that HPA axis dysregulation in depression may involve peptides other than ACTH and be more complex than previously reported.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008797	Metyrapone	An inhibitor of the enzyme STEROID 11-BETA-MONOOXYGENASE. It is used as a test of the feedback hypothalamic-pituitary mechanism in the diagnosis of CUSHING SYNDROME.	Methbipyranone,Methopyrapone,Metopiron,Metopirone,Métopirone,SU 4885
D010446	Peptide Fragments	Partial proteins formed by partial hydrolysis of complete proteins or generated through PROTEIN ENGINEERING techniques.	Peptide Fragment,Fragment, Peptide,Fragments, Peptide
D010901	Pituitary Function Tests	Examinations that evaluate functions of the pituitary gland.	Pituitary Gland Function Tests,Function Test, Pituitary,Function Tests, Pituitary,Pituitary Function Test,Test, Pituitary Function,Tests, Pituitary Function
D011333	Pro-Opiomelanocortin	A 30-kDa protein synthesized primarily in the ANTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND and the HYPOTHALAMUS. It is also found in the skin and other peripheral tissues. Depending on species and tissues, POMC is cleaved by PROHORMONE CONVERTASES yielding various active peptides including ACTH; BETA-LIPOTROPIN; ENDORPHINS; MELANOCYTE-STIMULATING HORMONES; and others (GAMMA-LPH; CORTICOTROPIN-LIKE INTERMEDIATE LOBE PEPTIDE; N-terminal peptide of POMC or NPP).	POMC,Pro-Opiocortin,ACTH-Endorphin Precursor,ACTH-beta-Lipotropin Precursor,Corticotropin-beta-Lipotropin Precursor,Endorphin-ACTH Precursor,Opiocortin,Pre-POMC,Pre-pro-opiocortin,Preproopiomelanocortin,Pro-ACTH-Endorphin,Pro-Opio-Melanocortin,Proopiocortin,Proopiomelanocortin,ACTH Endorphin Precursor,ACTH beta Lipotropin Precursor,Corticotropin beta Lipotropin Precursor,Endorphin ACTH Precursor,Pre POMC,Pre pro opiocortin,Pro ACTH Endorphin,Pro Opio Melanocortin,Pro Opiocortin,Pro Opiomelanocortin
D011569	Psychiatric Status Rating Scales	Standardized procedures utilizing rating scales or interview schedules carried out by health personnel for evaluating the degree of mental illness.	Factor Construct Rating Scales (FCRS),Katz Adjustment Scales,Lorr's Inpatient Multidimensional Psychiatric Rating Scale,Wittenborn Scales,Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale,Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview
D003866	Depressive Disorder	An affective disorder manifested by either a dysphoric mood or loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities. The mood disturbance is prominent and relatively persistent.	Depression, Endogenous,Depression, Neurotic,Depression, Unipolar,Depressive Syndrome,Melancholia,Neurosis, Depressive,Unipolar Depression,Depressions, Endogenous,Depressions, Neurotic,Depressions, Unipolar,Depressive Disorders,Depressive Neuroses,Depressive Neurosis,Depressive Syndromes,Disorder, Depressive,Disorders, Depressive,Endogenous Depression,Endogenous Depressions,Melancholias,Neuroses, Depressive,Neurotic Depression,Neurotic Depressions,Syndrome, Depressive,Syndromes, Depressive,Unipolar Depressions
D003907	Dexamethasone	An anti-inflammatory 9-fluoro-glucocorticoid.	Hexadecadrol,Decaject,Decaject-L.A.,Decameth,Decaspray,Dexasone,Dexpak,Hexadrol,Maxidex,Methylfluorprednisolone,Millicorten,Oradexon,Decaject L.A.
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000324	Adrenocorticotropic Hormone	An anterior pituitary hormone that stimulates the ADRENAL CORTEX and its production of CORTICOSTEROIDS. ACTH is a 39-amino acid polypeptide of which the N-terminal 24-amino acid segment is identical in all species and contains the adrenocorticotrophic activity. Upon further tissue-specific processing, ACTH can yield ALPHA-MSH and corticotrophin-like intermediate lobe peptide (CLIP).	ACTH,Adrenocorticotropin,Corticotropin,1-39 ACTH,ACTH (1-39),Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone,Corticotrophin,Corticotrophin (1-39),Corticotropin (1-39),Hormone, Adrenocorticotrophic,Hormone, Adrenocorticotropic