Ghrelin Plasma Levels Are Not Altered in Major Depression

Abstract

Background: In patients with major depression, the function of most endocrine axes is altered compared to healthy subjects. The orexigenic hormone ghrelin, which shows higher plasma levels in females than males, interacts with several of these endocrine axes. In addition, ghrelin levels in depressed patients decrease with psychopathological improvement. Therefore, we hypothesized that ghrelin levels in patients with major depression would be higher than in healthy subjects. Methods: Nocturnal (20:00–07:00 h) secretion patterns of ghrelin in 20 patients with major depression [11 females, age 39.4 ± 10.2 years (mean ± standard deviation); 9 males, age 38.3 ± 10.4 years] with a total score on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, 21-item version, of 24.8 ± 5.2 and 20 healthy subjects [11 females, age 38.7 ± 10.8 years; 9 males, age 39.1 ± 11.2 years] were determined following an adaptation night. Results: Ghrelin plasma levels of depressed patients and matched healthy subjects did not differ at any point in time when stratified for sex. Accordingly, the area under the curve was comparable: depressed females, 423.3 ± 103.4; healthy females, 398.0 ± 94.6; depressed males, 266.3 ± 56.9, and healthy males, 228.4 ± 41.3. Conclusion: This is the first comparison of ghrelin secretion patterns in patients with major depression and healthy controls. Surprisingly, no relevant differences were ascertained between the two groups.

Central administration of ghrelin alters emotional responses in rats: behavioural, electrophysiological and molecular evidence

“…Nevertheless, the results are inconsistent. While some publications found no difference in serum ghrelin in patients with major depressive disorders (Emul et al, 2007, Kluge et al, 2009, there is one report indicating higher serum ghrelin both in patients with major depressive episodes and in those with bipolar disordermanic episodes . Furthermore, some authors suggest that psychopathological improvement of major depression is associated with a significant decrease in serum ghrelin , Emul et al, 2007 whereas data obtained with sleep deprivation suggest that the beneficial effects of chronotherapeutic interventions in depression may be mediated by an increase of ghrelin (Schussler et al, 2006, Treuer, 2007.…”

“…Surprisingly little is known about the effects of chronic ghrelin exposure on these behaviours, forming a key aim of the present study. Even though, genetic and pharmacological studies suggest that ghrelin may be of clinical relevance for psychiatric conditions like mood disorders in man , Nakashima et al, 2008 some contradictory data have been published (Emul et al, 2007, Kluge et al, 2009). …”

Ghrelin in mental health, sleep, memory

“…Nocturnal ghrelin levels however did not differ between patients with depression and normal controls (Kluge et al, 2009a). After four weeks of antidepressive therapy with mirtazapine nocturnal ghrelin levels decreased in comparison to baseline (Schmid et al, 2006).…”

Investigation on Serum Hormonal Parameters (Ghrelin, Corticosterone, Insulin, T3 and T4) in Chronic Mild Stress Rat Model of Depression

“…Monteleone et al [24] reported considerable increase in salivary ghrelin following social stress protocol. Investigations on major depression cases show constant level for ghrelin [2] . Findings of present study for ghrelin levels of depressed (CMS) animals (Table 2) are in agreement with Chuang and Zigman [17] , Asakawa et al [19] , Kristenssson et al [20] and Monteleone et al [24] reports witch indicate that ghrelin can increase in chronic psychological or environmental stress, and various protocols for depression induce.…”

“…However, studies with adverse effects of depression on endocrine parameters are very limited. Also, these studies have focused mainly on major depression cases [1][2][3] not chronic or depression resulting from mild environmental stresses. So, studies on endocrine indices of various models of depression are necessary [4] .…”