Disturbed Endocrine Function in the Psychoses

1989 ◽  
Vol 155 (4) ◽  
pp. 455-461 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. J. Whalley ◽  
J. E. Christie ◽  
D. H. R. Blackwood ◽  
J. Bennie ◽  
H. Dick ◽  
...  

Plasma concentrations of prolactin, growth hormone, cortisol, TSH, and the neurophysins were measured over 17 hours in 98 newly admitted psychiatric patients and 35 control subjects. Seventy patients had been free of psychotropic medication for three months. Patients with schizoaffective mania (SAM) differed significantly from control subjects by increased plasma Cortisol concentrations and decreased night-time TSH concentrations. The latter were also significantly lower than in both schizophrenic and manic disorder patients. Plasma Cortisol was increased to a lesser extent in other psychotic subgroups, and increases in prolactin were most marked in the affective psychoses. There was little diagnostic specificity for psychoses other than SAM. Higher Cortisol and prolactin levels may be due to the stimulatory effect of serotonergic pathways, but the neural mechanisms underlying lower night-time TSH levels in SAM are not known. The findings are not consistent with the view (a) that the hormonal changes of the psychoses simply reflect a non-specific response to stress, or (b) that the biological abnormalities of the psychoses can be accounted for by a single continuum of disturbance.

1989 ◽  
Vol 155 (4) ◽  
pp. 462-467 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. J. Whalley ◽  
J. E. Christie ◽  
D. H. R. Blackwood ◽  
J. Bennie ◽  
H. Dick ◽  
...  

Discriminant function analyses were performed on plasma concentrations of prolactin, growth hormone, Cortisol, TSH, and the neurophysins measured over 17 hours in 70 newly admitted drug-free psychiatric patients and 35 control subjects. The hormone data distinguished between patients with different classes of drug-free psychosis (26 schizophrenic, 12 with manic disorder, 10 with major depressive disorder, psychotic subtype, 9 with schizoaffective mania (SAM)). Higher plasma Cortisol and lower TSH concentrations separated eight of nine SAM patients from all others.


1995 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Cooper ◽  
A. C. O. Evans ◽  
S. Cook ◽  
N. C. Rawlings

In evaluating stress in farm animals, it would be useful to know whether there were consistent endocrine responses that could be followed. Adrenal cortisol secretion is quite variable, but β-endorphin secretion and adrenal progesterone production may be useful indicators of stress. Changes in plasma concentrations of cortisol, β-endorphin and progesterone were studied in spring-born, castrated male calves (steers) (6 mo of age ± 18 d, 516 ± 26 kg, n = 12) subjected to the stress of routine dehorning. Steers were isolated from their dams for 2 h before headgate restraint (control) or restraint and dehorning. They were bled 60 and 10 min prior to headgate restraint or restraint and dehorning. Blood samples were also collected immediately after headgate restraint or restraint and dehorning (time 0) and 5, 10, 30 and 60 min later. All blood samples were taken from a jugular catheter, and the blood sampling that was done out of the headgate involved minimal manual restraint. Plasma β-endorphin concentrations were similar in control steers and dehorned steers (P > 0.05) and decreased significantly following restraint or restraint and dehorning (P < 0.05). Plasma cortisol concentrations rose significantly 5 min after dehorning and were elevated for 60 min; but with restraint only, plasma cortisol concentrations rose to a peak 5 min after release from chute restraint and then declined (P < 0.05). Plasma cortisol concentrations were greater in dehorned steers than in control steers in the period from 10 min after dehorning or headgate restraint to 60 min after headgate restraint (P < 0.0043). Plasma progesterone concentrations rose to a peak 10 min after dehorning and then declined, but in control steers, a peak was seen at 5 min after release from restraint (P < 0.05). Plasma progesterone concentrations were greater in dehorned steers between 5 and 60 min after dehorning than in control steers (P < 0.05). From these data, we concluded that in prepubertal, castrated male calves, β-endorphin was not released in any significant quantities in response to the stress of dehorning. In steers, adrenal cortisol and progesterone were secreted in response to acute stress, and a ratio of the two may provide a useful assessment of stress; this requires further study. Key words: Cortisol, progesterone, β-endorphin, stress, calves


1987 ◽  
Vol 150 (5) ◽  
pp. 674-681 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. Christie ◽  
L. J. Whalley ◽  
J. Bennie ◽  
H. Dick ◽  
I. M. Blackburn ◽  
...  

A systematic endocrine investigation in dementia, depression and control subjects showed that plasma growth hormone (GH) was higher in the morning and plasma TSH concentrations were higher throughout the day in Alzheimer-type dementia (ATD) than in age-matched depressed patients (MDD), and plasma TSH concentrations were also higher throughout the day in female ATD compared with age-matched female control subjects. The increased plasma TSH concentrations could not be due to reduced negative feedback because plasma T3, T4 and rT3 were in the normal range. Plasma concentrations of oestrogen-stimulated neurophysin (ESN) were lower throughout the day in ATD compared with MDD and controls and lower in the morning compared with other dementias. The high plasma GH and TSH concentrations in ATD may reflect the reduced hypothalamic content of somatostatin in ATD, and the reduced concentrations of ESN may reflect reduced cholinergic activity in ATD prain. These selective hormonal changes provide a useful diagnostic test for Alzheimer's disease.


2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 1045-1051 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna Takács ◽  
Róbert Bódizs ◽  
Péter Przemyslaw Ujma ◽  
Klára Horváth ◽  
Péter Rajna ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernadett Tuka ◽  
Aliz Nyári ◽  
Edina Katalin Cseh ◽  
Tamás Körtési ◽  
Dániel Veréb ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Altered glutamatergic neurotransmission and neuropeptide levels play a central role in migraine pathomechanism. Previously, we confirmed that kynurenic acid, an endogenous glutamatergic antagonist, was able to decrease the expression of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide 1–38, a neuropeptide with known migraine-inducing properties. Hence, our aim was to reveal the role of the peripheral kynurenine pathway (KP) in episodic migraineurs. We focused on the complete tryptophan (Trp) catabolism, which comprises the serotonin and melatonin routes in addition to kynurenine metabolites. We investigated the relationship between metabolic alterations and clinical characteristics of migraine patients. Methods Female migraine patients aged between 25 and 50 years (n = 50) and healthy control subjects (n = 34) participated in this study. Blood samples were collected from the cubital veins of subjects (during both the interictal/ictal periods in migraineurs, n = 47/12, respectively). 12 metabolites of Trp pathway were determined by neurochemical measurements (UHPLC-MS/MS). Results Plasma concentrations of the most Trp metabolites were remarkably decreased in the interictal period of migraineurs compared to healthy control subjects, especially in the migraine without aura (MWoA) subgroup: Trp (p < 0.025), L-kynurenine (p < 0.001), kynurenic acid (p < 0.016), anthranilic acid (p < 0.007), picolinic acid (p < 0.03), 5-hydroxy-indoleaceticacid (p < 0.025) and melatonin (p < 0.023). Several metabolites showed a tendency to elevate during the ictal phase, but this was significant only in the cases of anthranilic acid, 5-hydroxy-indoleaceticacid and melatonin in MWoA patients. In the same subgroup, higher interictal kynurenic acid levels were identified in patients whose headache was severe and not related to their menstruation cycle. Negative linear correlation was detected between the interictal levels of xanthurenic acid/melatonin and attack frequency. Positive associations were found between the ictal 3-hydroxykynurenine levels and the beginning of attacks, just as between ictal picolinic acid levels and last attack before ictal sampling. Conclusions Our results suggest that there is a widespread metabolic imbalance in migraineurs, which manifests in a completely depressed peripheral Trp catabolism during the interictal period. It might act as trigger for the migraine attack, contributing to glutamate excess induced neurotoxicity and generalised hyperexcitability. This data can draw attention to the clinical relevance of KP in migraine.


1984 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 1453-1463 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. A. Bullen ◽  
G. S. Skrinar ◽  
I. Z. Beitins ◽  
D. B. Carr ◽  
S. M. Reppert ◽  
...  

A prospective study of the hormonal effects of a moderate exercise training program (4-wk control, 8-wk training) was conducted in seven young women. Sixty-minutes continuous bicycle ergometer tests of fixed relative intensity were performed at the beginning, middle, and end of the training period. The capacity of these acute bouts of exercise to affect circulating levels of stress markers, reproductive hormones, and hormones with possible antireproductive potential was measured. In addition, the urinary excretion of reproductive hormones was monitored continuously via serial overnight urine collections. Within testing sessions, plasma concentrations of all stress markers and antireproductive hormones rose significantly. Across testing sessions, only beta-endorphin + beta-lipotropin and cortisol exhibited an increment in peak responses as training progressed. Plasma reproductive hormone levels showed insignificant acute changes, and cyclic menstruation and preovulatory gonadotropin surges continued in all subjects. However, ovarian function was disturbed in four subjects as evidenced by a decreased excretion of estriol, free progesterone, or both. Transient infertility is a known clinical accompaniment of hormonal changes of comparable subtlety.


1991 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 210-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. DeLissio ◽  
L. J. Goodyear ◽  
S. Fuller ◽  
E. L. Krawitt ◽  
J. T. Devlin

We studied whole body and regional fuel metabolism before, during, and after 90 min of treadmill exercise at 50% of maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) in four subjects with hepatic cirrhosis and in four normal volunteers. Rates of endogenous glucose production (EGP) were measured using D-[6–3H]glucose infusions and fuel oxidation using indirect calorimetry. In the basal state, cirrhotic subjects had similar rates of EGP compared with controls. Forearm release of alanine and lactate was significantly greater in cirrhotic subjects (P less than 0.05), suggesting increased basal rates of gluconeogenesis. During exercise, EGP increased 2- to 2.5-fold in control subjects (P less than 0.01) but did not increase in cirrhotic subjects. Despite lower glucose concentrations in cirrhotic subjects, progressive hypoglycemia did not occur during exercise, probably because cirrhotic subjects demonstrated increased plasma concentrations of fat-derived substrates and derived a greater percentage of total energy requirement from fat oxidation than did controls (P less than 0.05) and because forearm muscle glucose extraction was significantly lower in cirrhotic subjects compared with controls (0.5 vs. 3.6%, respectively; P less than 0.05). During recovery, control subjects demonstrated significant increases in EGP rates compared with both the basal and exercise periods, but cirrhotic subjects showed no increase. In conclusion, cirrhotic subjects failed to demonstrate the normal increase in EGP during and after exercise. Significant hypoglycemia during exercise did not occur, possibly because of the increased availability of fat-derived fuels, which may spare the requirement for circulating glucose as an oxidative fuel for exercising muscle tissues.


2009 ◽  
Vol 161 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gudmundur Johannsson ◽  
Ragnhildur Bergthorsdottir ◽  
Anna G Nilsson ◽  
Hans Lennernas ◽  
Thomas Hedner ◽  
...  

BackgroundEndogenous plasma cortisol levels have a well-defined circadian rhythm. The aim of this project is to develop a once daily oral dual-release formulation for cortisol replacement therapy that mimics the diurnal variation in the plasma cortisol profile.ObjectiveTo determine single-dose plasma pharmacokinetics and dose-proportionality of oral 5 and 20 mg dual-release hydrocortisone tablets in healthy volunteers. In addition, the effect of food intake was investigated for the 20 mg dose.DesignA randomised, controlled, two-way cross-over, double-blind, phase I study of oral hydrocortisone (modified (dual) release; 5 and 20 mg) with an open food-interaction arm.MethodsThe single dose pharmacokinetic studies were performed with betamethasone suppression. The two first study days were blinded and randomised between morning administration of 5 and 20 mg tablet in a fasting state. The third day was open with a 20 mg tablet taken 30 min after a high-calorie, high-fat meal. The plasma samples were assayed using both a validated LC–MS/MS and an immunoassay. The plasma pharmacokinetic variables were calculated using non-compartmental data analysis.ResultsThe time to reach a clinically significant plasma concentration of cortisol (>200 nmol/l) was within 20 min and a mean peak of 431 (s.d. 126) nmol/l was obtained within 50 min after administration of the 20 mg tablet. Plasma cortisol levels remained above 200 nmol/l for around 6 h thereafter and all plasma concentrations 18–24 h after intake were below 50 nmol/l. In the fed state the time to reach 200 nmol/l was delayed by 28 and 9 min based on LC–MS/MS and immunoassay, respectively. The 5 and 20 mg tablets produced an increase in plasma exposure of cortisol that was not fully dose proportional.ConclusionThe dual release hydrocortisone tablet with once-daily administration produced a diurnal plasma cortisol profile mimicking the physiological serum cortisol profile.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeineb Achour ◽  
Johann Joets ◽  
Martine Leguilloux ◽  
Hélène Sellier ◽  
Jean-Philippe Pichon ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTCharacterizing the molecular processes developed by plants to respond to environmental cues is a major task to better understand local adaptation. DNA methylation is a chromatin mark involved in the transcriptional silencing of transposable elements (TEs) and gene expression regulation. While the molecular bases of DNA methylation regulation are now well described, involvement of DNA methylation in plant response to environmental cues remains poorly characterized. Here, using the TE-rich maize genome and analyzing methylome response to prolonged cold at the chromosome and feature scales, we investigate how genomic architecture affects methylome response to stress in a cold-sensitive genotype. Interestingly, we show that cold stress induces a genome-wide methylation increase through the hypermethylation of TE sequences and centromeres. Our work highlights a cytosine context-specific response of TE methylation that depends on TE types, chromosomal location and proximity to genes. The patterns observed can be explained by the parallel transcriptional activation of multiple DNA methylation pathways that methylate TEs in the various chromatin locations where they reside. Our results open new insights into the possible role of genome-wide DNA methylation in phenotypic response to stress.


2019 ◽  
Vol 52 (05) ◽  
pp. 237-244
Author(s):  
Masataka Shinozaki ◽  
Jason Pierce ◽  
Yuki Hayashi ◽  
Takashi Watanabe ◽  
Taro Sasaki ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction  To investigate the metabolism of mirtazapine (MIR) in Japanese psychiatric patients, we determined the plasma levels of MIR, N-desmethylmirtazapine (DMIR), 8-hydroxy-mirtazapine (8-OH-MIR), mirtazapine glucuronide (MIR-G), and 8-hydroxy-mirtazapine glucuronide (8-OH-MIR-G). Methods  Seventy-nine Japanese psychiatric patients were treated with MIR for 1–8 weeks to achieve a steady-state concentration. Plasma levels of MIR, DMIR, and 8-OH-MIR were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. Plasma concentrations of MIR-G and 8-OH-MIR-G were determined by total MIR and total 8-OH-MIR (i. e., concentrations after hydrolysis) minus unconjugated MIR and unconjugated 8-OH-MIR, respectively. Polymerase chain reaction was used to determine CYP2D6 genotypes. Results  Plasma levels of 8-OH-MIR were lower than those of MIR and DMIR (median 1.42 nmol/L vs. 92.71 nmol/L and 44.96 nmol/L, respectively). The plasma levels (median) of MIR-G and 8-OH-MIR-G were 75.00 nmol/L and 111.60 nmol/L, giving MIR-G/MIR and 8-OH-MIR-G/8-OH-MIR ratios of 0.92 and 59.50, respectively. Multiple regression analysis revealed that smoking was correlated with the plasma MIR concentration (dose- and body weight–corrected, p=0.040) and that age (years) was significantly correlated with the plasma DMIR concentration (dose- and body weight–corrected, p=0.018). The steady-state plasma concentrations of MIR and its metabolites were unaffected by the number of CYP2D6*5 and CYP2D6*10 alleles. Discussion  The plasma concentration of 8-OH-MIR was as low as 1.42 nmol/L, whereas 8-OH-MIR-G had an approximate 59.50 times higher concentration than 8-OH-MIR, suggesting a significant role for hydroxylation of MIR and its glucuronidation in the Japanese population.


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