Relationship between Inflammation and Diurnal Cortisol Secretion in Patients with Major Depression: Role of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Open Access

Abstract

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) has been shown to be associated with high inflammation, including high levels of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF), as well as glucocorticoid resistance and disrupted diurnal cortisol secretion. It is believed that cortisol feedback inhibition is suppressed by inflammatory cytokines such as TNF. A double blind, clinical trial was conducted in which 60 patients, who met the criteria for MDD, were enrolled and either administered a placebo or the TNF antagonist infliximab over a period of 8 weeks. Blood samples were collected at weeks 1 and 8 and these samples were analyzed via ELISA assays for cortisol and TNF levels and were used to determine gene expression. This study determined that the administration of infliximab was able to restore natural diurnal cortisol rhythms and that TNF antagonists may be useful in lessening depressive symptoms.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents:

Introduction....................................................................................................................1-9

Methods......................................................................................................................10-15

Results........................................................................................................................16-22

Discussion....................................................................................................................23-27

References...................................................................................................................28-33

Tables............................................................................................................................34

Figure 1............................................................................................................................3

Figure 2............................................................................................................................4

Figure 3............................................................................................................................7

Figure 4...........................................................................................................................11

Figure 5...........................................................................................................................13

Figure 6...........................................................................................................................17

Figure 7...........................................................................................................................17

Figure 8...........................................................................................................................18

Figure 9...........................................................................................................................19

Figure 10..........................................................................................................................19

Figure 11..........................................................................................................................20

Figure 12..........................................................................................................................20

Figure 13..........................................................................................................................21

Figure 14..........................................................................................................................22

Table 1............................................................................................................................34

About this Master's Thesis

Rights statement

• Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.

School	Laney Graduate School
Department	Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Subfield / Discipline	Molecular & Systems Pharmacology
Degree	MS
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Biology, Neuroscience Health Sciences, Immunology Health Sciences, Mental Health
Keyword	TNF major depressive disorder infliximab cortisol
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Miller, Andrew, Department of Psychiatry Emory University
Committee Members	Owens, Michael J, Emory University Howell, Leonard, Emory University

Last modified

Primary PDF

Thumbnail	Title	Date Uploaded	Actions
	Relationship between Inflammation and Diurnal Cortisol Secretion in Patients with Major Depression: Role of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha ()	2018-08-28 10:33:07 -0400	Press to Select an action Download

Supplemental Files

Thumbnail	Title	Date Uploaded	Actions