Hormonal Dynamics Effect of Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor I and Cortisol/Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate Ratio on Symptom Severity of Major Depressive Disorder

Abstract

Background Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is a neurotrophic factor produced by the hypothalamic-pituitary-somatotropic axis and is considered a potential contributor to the pathology of major depressive disorder (MDD). Although it is known that the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and cortisol are involved in the pathology of MDD, the association with dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) remains unclear. The current study sought to clarify the relationship between these hormones and the pathology of MDD. Methods Subjects were 91 Japanese patients with a diagnosis of MDD. Serum IGF-I, cortisol, and DHEAS were measured. Samples were taken before breakfast after overnight fasting. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D). Results Subjects included 59 men and 32 women with an average age of 44.1 ± 13.1 years (mean ± SD). The blood IGF-I level was 152.0 ± 50.0 ng/mL, the cortisol level was 10.1 ± 4.6, and the DHEAS level was 201.3 ± 112.7 μg/dL. The mean HAM-D score was 13.9 ± 9.0. Serum IGF-I levels were not correlated with cortisol. Higher IGF-I, cortisol, and cortisol/DHEAS ratios were associated with higher HAM-D scores (adjusted R 2 = 0.240, P < 0.001), and higher IGF-I and cortisol were associated with higher melancholic or suicide subscores (adjusted R 2 = 0.200, P < 0.001; adjusted R 2 = 0.273, P < 0.001). Conclusions Our findings suggest that hormonal dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and hypothalamic-pituitary-somatotropic axes may be related to the symptom severity of MDD, melancholia, and suicide-related factors.

Randomized Controlled Study of the Effects of DHEA on the Outcome of IVF in Endometriosis

“…An animal model research has proved that the supplement of DHEA could promote the proliferation of the granulosa cell and then stimulate the initiation of primordial follicles and the development of gonadotrophin-responsive preantral and early antral follicles [22]. In addition, oral DHEA supplement has been proved to upregulate the concentration of IGF-1 in serum [24], which is well known, and has a beneficial effect on follicular development and oocyte quality. is indicates that the positive effect of DHEA may be modulated by the increase of IGF-1.…”

Neurotrophic factors in bipolar disorders patients with manic episode

“…Although the data collected on the role of neurotrophines in the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder has increased, they are conflicting and far from being sufficient [12]. Moreoever, it is argued that these neurotropic factors also change in other psychiatric diseases such as major depression and schizophrenia, which implies that the change in these factors may not be unique to bipolar disorder [37,38]. In order to reveal this point, we kept cortisol level, BMI and age under control statistically in the groups and we found that GDNF and Nrn 1 levels were significantly lower while IGF-1 levels were significantly higher in bipolar manic episode patients compared to the control group.…”

Serum cortisol and insulin-like growth factor 1 levels in major depressive disorder and schizophrenia

“…As of February 2017, we had recruited 91 patients with MDD for an initial study, which showed serum cortisol and IGF-1 levels were associated with symptom severity in patients with MDD 40 . Subsequently, as of March 2020, we had enrolled 54 male patients with MDD and 37 healthy male volunteers in a second study, which found serum IGF-1 levels were significantly higher in patients than in controls 41 .…”

“…These studies included a total of 107 patients with MDD and 37 healthy male volunteers. The current study extended the observation period and recruited additional participants including 71 patients with schizophrenia who were not included in our previous studies 40 , 41 . Of the participants in our previous studies, 84 patients (61 males and 23 females) with MDD and 35 healthy male individuals were included in the current study.…”

“…Our previous studied revealed that IGF-I and cortisol levels were associated with HAM-D scores in 91 patients with MDD 40 , and that serum IGF-1 levels were significantly higher in 54 male patients with MDD than in 37 male controls 41 . However, patients with schizophrenia were not included in our previous studies, and cortisol and IGF-I have not been investigated simultaneously in patients with MDD and schizophrenia.…”