Hypothalamic-Pituitary-End-Organ Axes: Hormone Function in Female Patients with Major Depressive Disorder
10.1007/s12264-021-00689-6
- Author:
Yuncheng ZHU
1
;
Yuncheng ZHU
2
;
Xiaohui WU
2
;
Rubai ZHOU
2
;
Zhiang NIU
2
;
Yiru FANG
2
;
Oliver SIE
3
;
Fang WANG
4
;
Yiru FANG
5
;
Yiru FANG
6
Author Information
1. Division of Mood Disorders, Shanghai Hongkou Mental Health Center
2. Clinical Research Center, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
3. Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University
4. Shanghai Yangpu Mental Health Center
5. CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology
6. Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Major depressive disorder;
Neurosecretory systems;
Sex steroid hormones
- From:
Neuroscience Bulletin
2021;37(8):1176-1187
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Classic hypothalamic-pituitary-end-organ feedback loops – the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA), hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroidal axis (HPTA), and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPGA) – are associated with the neuroendocrine and immune systems in major depressive disorder (MDD). Female patients with MDD present with evident neuroendocrine and immunological changes. Glucocorticoid, thyroid hormone, and reproductive steroid levels fluctuate with menstrual cycles, which might lead to glucocorticoid receptor resistance, impairment of triiodothyronine conversion, and sex hormone secretion disorders. In this review, we summarize the independent and interactive functions of these three axes in female MDD patients. The similar molecular structure of steroids implies an interrelationship between the hypothalamic-pituitary-end-organ axes and the competitive inhibitory effects at the receptor level, especially when considering the HPAA and HPGA.
