Growth hormone depression

Such difficulties prompted research workers to look for some other index of NT function in humans. These range from studies on platelets, such as abnormalities in their amine uptake and MAO activity in depressed patients, to changes in the secretion of a hormone known to be controlled by a particular NT. Thus if NA controls growth hormone release, and the secretion of the hormone is changed in depressed patients, does that confirm a role for NA in the mediation of depression ... 

Growth hormone. Mood disorders have been related to alterations in the activity of the growth-hormone axis. A blunted growth-hormone response to clonidine, an a2 receptor agonist, has been consistently found in depression. Increased growth-hormone secretion during the day and decreased nocturnal growth-hormone secretion have also been observed in depressed patients. Depressed patients have lower CSF concentrations of somatostatin, compared to those with schizophrenia and normal controls. While lower CSF somatostatin is a state-dependent marker of depression, it occurs in a number of unrelated nonpsychiatric conditions, and thus appears to be relatively nonspecific. 

Siever, L. J., Trestman, R. L., Coccaro, E. F. et al. The growth hormone response to clonidine in acute and remitted depressed male patients. Neuropsychopharm. 6 165-177, 1992. 

Nickel ions have been shown to depress the in vivo and in vitro release of prolactin [336], while the release of growth hormone was stimulated, and only at relatively high ion concentrations. Hyperglycemia occurs in rats following intraperitoneal or intratracheal injections of NiCl2 [265, 337, 338], The mechanism of action of nickel appears to be inhibition of insulin release this inhibition could be related to the extremely high concentration of nickel found in the pituitary and the effect on the secretion of the pituitary hormones (growth hormone and adrenocorticotropic hormone). 

Steiger A, von Bardeleben U, Herth T, Holsboer F. (1989). Sleep EEG and nocturnal secretion of cortisol and growth hormone in male patients with endogenous depression before treatment and after recovery. J Affect Disord. 16(2-3) 189-95. 

Bitmaher, B., Dahl, R.E., Williamson, D.E., Perel, J.M., Btant. D.A., Axelson, D.A., Kaufman. J., Don, L.D., and Still, S. (2000) Growth hormone secretion in children and adolescents at high risk for major depressive disorder. Arch Gen Psychiatry 57 867-872. 

Cortisol hypersecretion, blunted growth hormone and prolactin responses, blunted thyrotropin-stimulating hormone (TSH) response to TRH, reduced luteinizing hormone secretion, and disturbances in b-endorphin, vasopressin, and calcitonin have all been associated with depression. 

Medroxyprogesterone, while suppressing spermatogenesis, also depresses release of growth hormone induced by insulin or arginine (13). 

In animals (particularly monkeys), cannabis depresses ovarian and testicular function. In man, chronic use has been associated with reduced serum FSH and LH concentrations in a few people, often accompanied by reduced serum testosterone, oligospermia, reduced sperm motility, and gynecomastia (235). There is no evidence of impairment of male fertility no studies have been carried out on female fertility. There is evidence of slightly shortened gestation periods in chronic users (236). There are variable non-specific effects on serum prolactin and growth hormone and a rise in plasma cortisol concentrations has been recorded in one study. 

Receptor Class Mu (pi) Primary Therapeutic Effect(s) Spinal and supraspinal analgesia Other Effects Sedation respiratory depression constipation inhibits neurotransmitter release (acetylcholine, dopamine) increases hormonal release (prolactin growth hormone)... 

GHB (GAMMA HYDROXYBUTYRATE) Originally soldin health food stores as a growth hormone, a liquid nervous depressant touted for its ecstasy-like qualities. Banned by the FDA in 1990, the respiratory depression it can cause makes it among the most dangerous club drugs in circulation. 

In addition to abnormalities in the cortisol system, abnormal function of growth hormone and of thyroid hormone and of their regulatory mechanisms has been reported. Again, these findings are not specific to depression (Schatzberg et al., 2002). 

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