Thyroid hormones association with depression severity and clinical outcome in patients with major depressive disorder

The clinical implications of thyroid hormones in depression have been studied extensively and still remains disputable. Supplementation of thyroid hormones is considered to augment and accelerate antidepressant treatment. Studies on the role of thyroid hormones in depression deliver contradictory results. Here we assess theirs impact on depression severity and final clinical outcome in patients with major depression. Thyrotropin, free thyroxine (FT4), and free triiodothyronine (FT3) concentrations were measured with automated quantitative enzyme immunoassay. Depression severity and final clinical outcome were rated with 17-itemic Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression [HDRS(17)] and Clinical Global Impression Scales for severity and for improvement (CGIs, CGIi). FT3 and FT4 concentrations were significantly positively correlated with clinical improvement evaluated with CGIi (R = 0.38, P = 0.012; R = 0.33, P = 0.034, respectively). There was a significant correlation between FT4 concentrations and depression severity assessed in HDRS(17) (R = 0.31, P = 0.047). Male patients presented significantly higher FT3 serum levels (Z = 2.34, P = 0.018) and significantly greater clinical improvement (Z = 2.36, P = 0.018) when compared to female patients. We conclude that free thyroid hormones concentrations are associated with depression severity and have an impact on final clinical outcome. It can be more efficient to augment and accelerate the treatment of major depressive disorder with triiodothyronine instead of levothyroxine because of individual differences in thyroid hormones metabolism.     

Chipping away at major depressive disorder

An intriguing recent study examines the role of miR-1202, a glutamate receptor regulating microRNA, in regulating major depressive disorder.     

首发重性抑郁症患者肠道菌群组成及与胃肠道症状的相关性

【背景】重性抑郁症(majordepressivedisorder,MDD)是一种常见的重大精神疾病,MDD患者多伴有胃肠道症状,但很少有研究关注MDD患者胃肠道症状发生的机制。【目的】探索首发未治疗MDD患者肠道菌群的特征及其与炎症标志物和胃肠道症状的相关性,为MDD的治疗提供理论依据。【方法】募集符合入组和排除标准的91例首发未服药MDD患者和105名健康对照者(healthy controls, HCs)。采用16S rRNA基因测序技术和生物信息学分析评估粪便菌群组成。采用酶联免疫吸附试验(enzymelinkedimmunosorbentassay,ELISA)检测外周血高敏C反应蛋白(high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, hs-CRP)、白细胞介素-1β (interleukin-1β, IL-1β)、白细胞介素-6(interleukin-6,IL-6)、白细胞介素-10(interleukin-10,IL-10)和肿瘤坏死因子-α(tumornecrosis factor-α, TNF-α);采用胃肠症状评定量表(gastrointe...     

Genome-wide DNA methylation scan in major depressive disorder

While genome-wide association studies are ongoing to identify sequence variation influencing susceptibility to major depressive disorder (MDD), epigenetic marks, such as DNA methylation, which can be influenced by environment, might also play a role. Here we present the first genome-wide DNA methylation (DNAm) scan in MDD. We compared 39 postmortem frontal cortex MDD samples to 26 controls. DNA was hybridized to our Comprehensive High-throughput Arrays for Relative Methylation (CHARM) platform, covering 3.5 million CpGs. CHARM identified 224 candidate regions with DNAm differences >10%. These regions are highly enriched for neuronal growth and development genes. Ten of 17 regions for which validation was attempted showed true DNAm differences; the greatest were in PRIMA1, with 12-15% increased DNAm in MDD (p = 0.0002-0.0003), and a concomitant decrease in gene expression. These results must be considered pilot data, however, as we could only test replication in a small number of additional brain samples (n = 16), which showed no significant difference in PRIMA1. Because PRIMA1 anchors acetylcholinesterase in neuronal membranes, decreased expression could result in decreased enzyme function and increased cholinergic transmission, consistent with a role in MDD. We observed decreased immunoreactivity for acetylcholinesterase in MDD brain with increased PRIMA1 DNAm, non-significant at p = 0.08.While we cannot draw firm conclusions about PRIMA1 DNAm in MDD, the involvement of neuronal development genes across the set showing differential methylation suggests a role for epigenetics in the illness. Further studies using limbic system brain regions might shed additional light on this role.     

Dysregulation of brain dopamine systems in major depressive disorder

Major depressive disorder (MDD or depression) is a debilitating neuropsychiatric syndrome with genetic, epigenetic, and environmental contributions. Depression is one of the largest contributors to chronic disease burden; it affects more than one in six individuals in the United States. A wide array of cellular and molecular modifications distributed across a variety of neuronal processes and circuits underlie the pathophysiology of depression—no established mechanism can explain all aspects of the disease. MDD suffers from a vast treatment gap worldwide, and large numbers of individuals who require treatment do not receive adequate care. This mini-review focuses on dysregulation of brain dopamine (DA) systems in the pathophysiology of MDD and describing new cellular targets for potential medication development focused on DA-modulated micro-circuits. We also explore how neurodevelopmental factors may modify risk for later emergence of MDD, possibly through dopaminergic substrates in the brain.     

骨骼肌和心肌缺血后处理对兔缺血/再灌注心肌的保护作用

目的:观察骨骼肌缺血后处理(RPostC)、心肌的缺血后处理(MPostC)对缺血/再灌注心肌保护作用是否存在差异以及两者联合后作用是否叠加。方法:健康新西兰大白兔3O只,随机分为5组(n=6):缺血对照组(Con)、假手术组(sham)、心肌缺血后处理组(MPostC)和肢体缺血后处理组(RPostC)及心肌缺血后处理联合肢体缺血后处理组(MPostC+RPostC)。采用开胸结扎冠状动脉左室支45 min,再灌注120min方法制作缺血/再灌注模型,采用短暂结扎双侧髂外动脉固定部位5 min造成骨骼肌短暂缺血。以Evans蓝标记心肌缺血区范围,以TTC法检测梗死心肌范围,并分别于缺血前、后及再灌注1、2 h测定血浆磷酸肌酸激酶(CPK)活性和乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)含量。结果:和Con组相比,MPostC和RPostC组心肌梗死范围均明显降低(P<0.05);MPostC联合RPostC组心肌梗死范围与MPostC或RPostC组相比,均进一步降低(均P<0.05)。但MPostC组及RPostC组之间心肌坏死范围未见统计学差异。再灌注120 min末血浆CPK活性及LDH含量也显示相似趋势。结论:骨骼肌缺血后处理及心肌后处理对缺血/再灌注心肌均具有明显保护作用;且两者作用可以叠加;但骨骼肌和心肌后处理之间保护作用未显示统计学差异。     

Microstructural abnormalities in subcortical reward circuitry of subjects with major depressive disorder

Background

Previous studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) have focused on abnormalities in the prefrontal cortex and medial temporal regions. There has been little investigation in MDD of midbrain and subcortical regions central to reward/aversion function, such as the ventral tegmental area/substantia nigra (VTA/SN), and medial forebrain bundle (MFB).

Methodology/Principal Findings

We investigated the microstructural integrity of this circuitry using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in 22 MDD subjects and compared them with 22 matched healthy control subjects. Fractional anisotropy (FA) values were increased in the right VT and reduced in dorsolateral prefrontal white matter in MDD subjects. Follow-up analysis suggested two distinct subgroups of MDD patients, which exhibited non-overlapping abnormalities in reward/aversion circuitry. The MDD subgroup with abnormal FA values in VT exhibited significantly greater trait anxiety than the subgroup with normal FA values in VT, but the subgroups did not differ in levels of anhedonia, sadness, or overall depression severity.

Conclusions/Significance

These findings suggest that MDD may be associated with abnormal microstructure in brain reward/aversion regions, and that there may be at least two subtypes of microstructural abnormalities which each impact core symptoms of depression.     

Effect of ramelteon coadministered with antidepressant in patients with insomnia and major depressive disorder: an exploratory study

Sleep and Biological Rhythms - The purpose is to evaluate the effect and safety of ramelteon 8&nbsp;mg/day for 8&nbsp;weeks in the treatment of insomnia in patients with concurrent...     

High-dose zolpidem abuse in a patient with insomnia comorbid with major depressive disorder

Sleep and Biological Rhythms - A 39-year-old married woman was referred to a psychiatry outpatient clinic for treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). The dose of zolpidem she had been taking...     

Hypermethylation in the ZBTB20 gene is associated with major depressive disorder

Background

Although genetic variation is believed to contribute to an individual’s susceptibility to major depressive disorder, genome-wide association studies have not yet identified associations that could explain the full etiology of the disease. Epigenetics is increasingly believed to play a major role in the development of common clinical phenotypes, including major depressive disorder.

Results

Genome-wide MeDIP-Sequencing was carried out on a total of 50 monozygotic twin pairs from the UK and Australia that are discordant for depression. We show that major depressive disorder is associated with significant hypermethylation within the coding region of ZBTB20, and is replicated in an independent cohort of 356 unrelated case-control individuals. The twins with major depressive disorder also show increased global variation in methylation in comparison with their unaffected co-twins. ZBTB20 plays an essential role in the specification of the Cornu Ammonis-1 field identity in the developing hippocampus, a region previously implicated in the development of major depressive disorder.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that aberrant methylation profiles affecting the hippocampus are associated with major depressive disorder and show the potential of the epigenetic twin model in neuro-psychiatric disease.     

缺血后处理内源性心脏保护的研究进展

再灌注疗法是临床治疗心肌缺血最有效的措施,但会引起再灌注损伤,调动机体内源性保护机制可以减轻再灌注损伤,保护缺血心肌。缺血预处理（ischemic preconditioning,IPC）和后处理（ischemic postconditioning,I-postC）是缺血心脏有效的内源性保护现象,可以减轻缺血再灌注（ischemia／reperfusion,I／R）后心肌坏死与心肌功能障碍,减少恶性心律失常的发生。内源性心脏保护的机制主要是通过诱导触发因子释放,经多条细胞内信号转导途径的介导,作用于多种效应器,影响氧自由基产生、钙超载等I／R损伤的关键环节而发挥心肌细胞保护作用。特别是可以在缺血后实施的I-postC具有良好的临床应用前景。本文以I-postC为重点综述内源性心脏保护作用、机制及其临床应用现状。     

Inhibition of myocardial injury by ischemic postconditioning during reperfusion: comparison with ischemic preconditioning

Ischemic preconditioning (Pre-con) is an adaptive response triggered by a brief ischemia applied before a prolonged coronary occlusion. We tested the hypothesis that repetitive ischemia applied during early reperfusion, i.e., postconditioning (Post-con), is cardio-protective by attenuating reperfusion injury. In anesthetized open-chest dogs, the left anterior descending artery (LAD) was occluded for 60 min and reperfused for 3 h. In controls (n = 10), there was no intervention. In Pre-con (n = 9), the LAD was occluded for 5 min and reperfused for 10 min before the prolonged occlusion. In Post-con (n = 10), at the start of reperfusion, three cycles of 30-s reperfusion and 30-s LAD reocclusion preceded the 3 h of reperfusion. Infarct size was significantly less in the Pre-con (15 +/- 2%, P < 0.05) and Post-con (14 +/- 2%, P < 0.05) groups compared with controls (25 +/- 3%). Tissue edema (% water content) in the area at risk was comparably reduced in Pre-con (78.3 +/- 1.2, P < 0.05) and Post-con (79.7 +/- 0.6, P < 0.05) versus controls (81.5 +/- 0.4). Polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) accumulation (myeloperoxidase activity, Deltaabsorbance.min-1.g tissue-1) in the area at risk myocardium was comparably reduced in Post-con (10.8 +/- 5.5, P < 0.05) and Pre-con (13.4 +/- 3.4, P < 0.05) versus controls (47.4 +/- 15.3). Basal endothelial function measured by PMN adherence to postischemic LAD endothelium (PMNs/mm2) was comparably attenuated by Post-con and Pre-con (15 +/- 0.6 and 12 +/- 0.6, P < 0.05) versus controls (37 +/- 1.5), consistent with reduced expression of P-selectin on coronary vascular endothelium in Post-con and Pre-con. Endothelial function assessed by the maximal vasodilator response of postischemic LAD to acetylcholine was significantly greater in Post-con (104 +/- 6%, P < 0.05) and Pre-con (109 +/- 5%, P < 0.05) versus controls (71 +/- 8%). Plasma malondialdehyde (microM/ml), a product of lipid peroxidation, was significantly less at 1 h of reperfusion in Post-con (2.2 +/- 0.2, P < 0.05) versus controls (3.2 +/- 0.3) associated with a decrease in superoxide levels revealed by dihydroethidium staining in the myocardial area at risk. These data suggest that Post-con is as effective as Pre-con in reducing infarct size and preserving endothelial function. Post-con may be clinically applicable in coronary interventions, coronary artery bypass surgery, organ transplantation, and peripheral revascularization where reperfusion injury is expressed.     

Combined preconditioning and postconditioning provides synergistic protection against liver ischemic reperfusion injury

Hepatic Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury (IRI) is a major cause of liver damage during liver surgery and transplantation. Ischemic preconditioning and postconditioning are strategies that can reduce IRI. In this study, different combined types of pre- and postconditioning procedures were tested in a murine warm hepatic IRI model to evaluate their protective effects. Proanthocyanidins derived from grape seed was used before ischemia process as pharmacological preconditioning to combine with technical preconditioning and postconditioning. Three pathways related to IRI, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, pro-inflammatory cytokines release and hypoxia responses were examined in hepatic IRI model. Individual and combined pre- and postconditioning protocols significantly reduce liver injury by decreasing the liver ROS and cytokine levels, as well as enhancing the hypoxia tolerance response. Our data also suggested that in addition to individual preconditioning or postconditioning, the combination of these two treatments could reduce liver ischemia/reperfusion injury more effectively by increasing the activity of ROS scavengers and antioxidants. The utilization of grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSP) could improve the oxidation resistance in combined pre- and postconditioning groups. The combined protocol also further increased the liver HIF-1 alpha protein level, but had no effect on pro-inflammatory cytokines release compared to solo treatment.