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Biomedical subjects

M Maes

Publications and source records attributed to M Maes.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

The cimetidine-induced increase in prolactin secretion in schizophrenia: effect of clozapine.

There is considerable interest in the role of serotonin (5-HT) in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and in the mechanism of action of clozapine, an atypical antipsychotic agent and a potent dopamine (DA), 5-HT2/5-HT1C and histamine (H) antagonist. Cimetidine, an H2 antagonist, produces robust, transient increase in plasma prolactin (PRL) levels in man following intravenous administration. This effect has been attributed, in part, to indirect central serotonergic mechanisms involving 5-HT2 receptors in the hypothalamus, but the evidence is inconclusive. This study investigated the effects of cimetidine on plasma PRL levels in unmedicated schizophrenic patients versus normal controls and the effect of chronic treatment with clozapine on the cimetidine-induced PRL response. The PRL response to cimetidine was significantly blunted in male but not female schizophrenic patients. The PRL response in male schizophrenic patients was inversely related to psychopathology. Chronic treatment with clozapine completely suppressed the plasma PRL response following cimetidine. These data are consistent with the hypothesis of an abnormality of serotonergic activity, including downregulation of 5-HT2 receptors, in male but not female schizophrenic patients. The role of antagonism of 5-HT2 receptors in the action of clozapine is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Sleep disorders and anxiety as symptom profiles of sympathoadrenal system hyperactivity in major depression.

Recently, it has been reported that major depression is accompanied by an increased sympathoadrenal system (SAS) activity. In order to study the psychopathological correlates of SAS activity in depression, the authors measured the 24 h urinary excretion of catecholamines (CA), i.e., noradrenaline (NE), adrenaline (E), dopamine (DA) and the NE/E metabolite 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) in 80 unipolar depressed subjects. The excretion of these indices of SAS activity have been studied in relation to the depressive items of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III (SCID) and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). There were significant positive correlations between the SCID item sleep disorders and the HDRS item middle insomnia, on the one hand, and NE, E and DA excretion, on the other. The MHPG excretion in 24 h urine was significantly and negatively related to somatic anxiety and hypochondriasis. It is suggested that these intertwined relationships between increased CA turnover, sleep discontinuity and anxiety may reflect the occurrence of a hyperarousal state in some major depressives that may be regarded as a coping response to various putative noxious stimuli.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1993

Relationships between interleukin-6 activity, acute phase proteins, and function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in severe depression.

Recent studies from this laboratory have provided some evidence that major depression, in particular melancholia, may be accompanied by an immune response. The present study was designed to investigate whether severe depression is characterized by increased interleukin-6 (Il-6) activity and whether Il-6 production is related to altered levels of acute phase reactants and to abnormal function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Measurements were made in 8 healthy control subjects and 24 depressed inpatients of Il-6 production in culture supernatants of mitogen-stimulated peripheral leukocytes and plasma levels of haptoglobin (Hp), transferrin (Tf), and postdexamethasone cortisol. Il-6 activity was significantly higher in melancholic subjects than in healthy control subjects and in patients with minor depression or nonmelancholic major depression. Il-6 production was significantly correlated with Hp (positively) and Tf (negatively) plasma levels. There were significant and positive correlations between Il-6 activity and postdexamethasone cortisol values. The findings may suggest that increased Il-6 activity in severe depression is related to hypotransferrinemia, hyperhaptoglobinemia, and hyperactivity of the HPA axis.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗
PubMed1993

Psychomotor retardation, anorexia, weight loss, sleep disturbances, and loss of energy: psychopathological correlates of hyperhaptoglobinemia during major depression.

Recently, we have established that major depression is characterized by hyperhaptoglobinemia, which may be regarded as an index of an "acute" phase response in that illness. The present study investigates the psychopathological correlates of increased plasma concentrations of haptoglobin (Hp) in major depression. To this end, the authors studied the Hp levels in relation to depressive items of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III (SCID) and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) in 90 depressed subjects. There was a significant positive relationship between the SCID symptoms anorexia/weight loss, sleep, and psychomotor disorders and Hp plasma concentrations. Hp plasma levels were significantly and positively correlated with overall severity of illness (HRSD). The HRSD symptom correlates of higher Hp levels were loss of interest, middle insomnia, and psychomotor retardation. Up to 31.4% of the variance in Hp plasma values could be explained by psychomotor disorders, anorexia, weight loss, middle insomnia, and less diurnal variation of mood. It is suggested that hyperhaptoglobinemia, as an index of an "acute" phase response in major depression, is related to the somatic dimension of depressive illness.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗
PubMed1993

Relationships between lower plasma L-tryptophan levels and immune-inflammatory variables in depression.

Despite much research, the pathophysiology underlying lower L-tryptophan (L-TRP) availability in major depression has remained elusive. The present study investigates whether lower L-TRP availability in major depression is related to immune activation which may occur in that illness and is known to modulate L-TRP metabolism. Toward this end, the authors have measured the following in depressed patients and normal control subjects: plasma levels of L-TRP, and the competing amino acids (CAA) valine, leucine, isoleucine, tyrosine, and phenylalanine, together with indices of immune function such as haptoglobin (Hp) and transferrin (Tf) plasma levels, dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) serum activity, and mitogen-induced culture supernatant interleukin-6 (Il-6) production. Both plasma levels of L-TRP and the L-TRP/CAA ratio were significantly lower in major depressed subjects as compared with healthy control subjects. There were significant correlations between plasma L-TRP levels, on the one hand, and Tf plasma levels, DPP IV activity (both positive), Il-6 production, and Hp plasma levels (both negative), on the other. Up to 63.7% of the variance in L-TRP plasma concentrations could be explained by DPP IV, Hp, Il-6 values, and gender. Up to 50% of the variance in the L-TRP/CAA ratio could be explained by Hp values (negative correlation) and gender. It is hypothesized that lower plasma L-TRP availability in major depression may be related to the immune response in that illness.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Significantly increased expression of T-cell activation markers (interleukin-2 and HLA-DR) in depression: further evidence for an inflammatory process during that illness.

1. Recently, the authors have reported that severe depression may be accompanied by a systemic immune activation with an increase in the number of T cells expressing activation receptors. 2. The present large-scale study examines specific T (CD2+HLADR+ and CD7+CD25+) and B (CD7-CD25+) cell activation markers in depressed inpatients and normal volunteers together with the number of leukocytes and monocytes. 3. The authors have established that depression is characterized by a significantly increased expression of T cell activation receptors (CD7+CD25+) and by the appearance of previously unexpressed T cell surface markers (CD2+HLADR+). There was a significant and positive correlation between the number of CD7+CD25+ cells and monocytes, with the expression of the HLADR and CD25 T cell activation markers being significantly and positively correlated. Up to 64% of all depressed subjects exhibit an increased expression of these activation markers with a specificity of 91%. 4. The normal control group and the depressive sample constitute two discrete classes (i.e., qualitatively distinct groups) with respect to the expression of these activation markers and leukocytosis. 5. It is concluded that our results are compatible with the presence of T-cell activation in a considerable number of depressed patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

An evaluation of basal hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis function in depression: results of a large-scaled and controlled study.

In order to evaluate the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT)-axis in unipolar depression, the authors measured basal 0800h plasma levels of free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) by means of the new, ultrasensitive assays (TSH-IRMA) in 69 healthy controls, 62 minor, 101 simple major, and 57 melancholic depressed subjects. Basal HPT-axis hormone levels of almost all (96.8%) unipolar depressed patients fell within the normal, euthyroid range. None of the major depressed subjects showed subclinical hypothyroidism. It was found that 8.8% of the melancholic subjects exhibited some degree of subclinical hyperthyroidism. Basal TSH-IRMA values were significantly lower in melancholic patients than in healthy controls, minor and simple major depressed patients, and in major vs. minor depressed subjects. FT4 circulating levels were significantly higher in melancholic patients than in all other subjects. Basal TSH-IRMA and FT4 levels were significantly correlated with severity of illness. In depression, there was a significant and negative correlation between basal TSH-IRMA values and FT4 concentrations. No significant gender- or age-related differences in TSH-IRMA or thyroid hormones were detected in depression. It is argued that--in depression research--the assays of basal TSH-IRMA should replace thyrotropin releasing hormone tests.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Regional cerebral blood flow in unipolar depression measured with Tc-99m-HMPAO single photon emission computed tomography: negative findings.

Recent studies have reported that patients with unipolar major depression may show a lower whole brain cerebral blood flow (CBF) and reduced regional CBF in frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes. The present study used single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with the CBF marker Tc-99m-hexamethylpropyleneamineoxine (HMPAO) to measure the cortical CBF of six individual regions of interest (ROIs), total ROI, and left or right hemispheric total ROI in 43 unipolar depressed subjects and 12 normal control subjects. There were no significant differences in the distribution of Tc-99m-HMPAO uptake into total ROI, right or left global ROI, prefrontal, motor frontal, parietal, temporal, visual cortex, or associative visual cortex between patients with melancholic depression, simple major depression, or minor depression and healthy control subjects. There were also no significant differences in the right-left distribution of uptake between the patients and the control subjects. Hypoperfusion was observed in motor frontal and parietal cortex of patients who had been taking benzodiazepines during the study period. It is concluded that cortical CBF, as assessed with Tc-99m-HMPAO SPECT, is relatively intact in the present sample of patients with severe depression.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Influence of spontaneous or induced puberty on the growth promoting effect of treatment with growth hormone in girls with Turner's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate the effect of 3 years treatment with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on height velocity and height in girls with Turner's syndrome (TS) and to study to influence of spontaneous or induced puberty on the growth promoting effect of rhGH. PATIENTS AND DESIGN: The investigation was performed in 36 girls with Turner's syndrome treated for 3 years with rhGH in a dose of 1 IU/kg week, administered as daily subcutaneous injections. Fifteen patients remained prepubertal throughout the observation period (Group 1). During the first 2 years of rhGH therapy, four girls developed puberty spontaneously (Group 2). During the 3rd year of rhGH treatment puberty was induced with 100 ng/kg day ethinyl oestradiol orally in 17 girls requesting pubertal development and with a bone age of at least 11 'years' (Group 3). RESULTS: During the first year of rhGH therapy height velocity increased significantly in all patients. Mean +/- SD height velocity was higher in the four patients with Turner's syndrome who developed spontaneous puberty than in 17 age-matched girls with Turner's syndrome without puberty (8.9 +/- 1.2 vs 7.4 +/- 1.2 cm/year; P < 0.05). During the second and third year of rhGH treatment height velocity decreased in all patients but remained above baseline levels. The induction of puberty with 100 ng/kg day ethinyl oestradiol in the patients of Group 3 did not lead to an acceleration of height velocity, but seemed in contrast to decelerate height velocity. After 3 years of rhGH treatment, 21 out of 36 patients have obtained a height at or above the initially calculated projected adult height and five girls are already taller than 150 cm. CONCLUSIONS: The onset of spontaneous puberty during the first years of rhGH treatment seems to have an additive effect to rhGH on height velocity. Induction of puberty with oral administration of 100 ng/kg day ethinyl oestradiol did not have any beneficial effect on height velocity and seems therefore not to be the optimal way to induce puberty with an adequate pubertal growth spurt in girls with Turner's syndrome under rhGH therapy. Different doses and routes of oestrogen administration have to be evaluated in order to mimic the growth promoting effect of spontaneous puberty as well as possible.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Autoimmunity in depression: increased antiphospholipid autoantibodies.

Some groups have recently reported higher titers of autoantibodies in depressed subjects than in normal controls. The present study investigates whether depressed patients exhibit increased antiphospholipid antibody titers compared with normal controls. The authors measured the binding index (BI) of antiphosphatidylserine (APSA), antipartial thromboplastin (APTA) and anticardiolipin (ACA) in 22 minor, 23 simple major and 20 melancholic depressives, 10 healthy controls and 104 normal controls with negative autoantibody sera. Depressed subjects exhibited significantly higher APSA and APTA antibody titers compared with normal controls. A large number of depressed subjects (+/- 54%) showed APTA and APSA positivity, defined as BI > or = 2 standard deviations above the mean BI of normal controls. There was a significant discrimination (> or = 2.8 standard deviations) between melancholic subjects and healthy controls with respect to BI of ACA, APSA and APTA. However, by using a more conservative value for phospholipid positivity (i.e., BI > or = 5 standard deviations above the mean BI of a reference sample of normal sera), the subject's autoantibody titers were, on the whole, within the normal range. Our results point towards a higher expression of antiphospholipid antibodies during depression but a much lower incidence of positive patients than in classical autoimmune disorders, such as systemic lupus erythematosus.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Seasonality in severity of depression: relationships to suicide and homicide occurrence.

Some previous studies have reported seasonal or monthly variations in the occurrence of depressive syndromes. The present study was carried out in order to investigate seasonality in severity of depression. Toward this end, the authors measured the Zung Self-Rating Depression (ZD) and Anxiety (ZA) Scales scores in 104 consecutively admitted depressed patients between November 1983 and April 1985. The data were analyzed by means of spectral analysis of a single time series. Up to 47.9% of the variance in the weekly average of the ZD scores could be explained by two significant rhythms of 51 (circannual) and 7 weeks. Peaks in ZD scores were observed in April-May, with lows occurring in August-September. Up to 30.8% of the variance in the weekly average of ZA scores was explained by a circannual rhythm. Our results show that there is a true seasonality in the severity of illness of depressed subjects. There were significant correlations between the weekly average in severity of illness and the chronograms of suicide (positively) and homicide (negatively) occurrence in Belgium.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Interleukin-1 beta: a putative mediator of HPA axis hyperactivity in major depression?

OBJECTIVE: There is extensive evidence that major depression, and particularly melancholia, is characterized by hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity as well as systemic immune activation, which may be accompanied by increased interleukin-1 beta production. Interleukin-1 beta is known to enhance HPA axis activity during an immune response. This study investigated whether interleukin-1 beta production is related to HPA axis activity in depressed subjects. METHOD: The subjects were 28 inpatients with major or minor depression and 10 normal comparison subjects. The authors measured 1) the subjects' cortisol levels after an overnight 1-mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST) and 2) mitogen-stimulated supernatant interleukin-1 beta production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells. RESULTS: Statistically significant positive correlations between interleukin-1 beta production and post-DST cortisol values were found in the study group as a whole and in the depressed and normal subgroups separately. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that constituents of the immune response (such as interleukin-1 beta) in major depression may contribute to HPA axis hyperfunction in that illness.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Seasonality in violent suicide but not in nonviolent suicide or homicide.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have reported seasonal or monthly variation in suicide. The present study was conducted in order to determine seasonality and other significant rhythms in violent and nonviolent suicide, alone and together, and homicide. METHOD: Data on suicide, violent suicide, nonviolent suicide, and homicide (categorized according to ICD-9) for all of Belgium for the period 1979-1987 were analyzed by means of spectral analyses. RESULTS: There was a significant seasonality for suicide but not homicide. Seasonality was present in violent but not in nonviolent suicide. The number of violent suicides increased with age and was more prominent in men. The violent suicide chronograms of younger and elderly persons were quite distinct in the occurrence of peaks in March-April and August, respectively, and lows in December-January. There was no significant relationship between violent suicide and homicide. CONCLUSIONS: Seasonality in suicide is determined by significant circannual rhythms in violent suicides, which differ between younger and elderly persons.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

MMPI assessment of the DSM-III-R histrionic personality disorder.

This study investigated the MMPI characteristics of a group of 25 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd ed., rev. [DSM-III-R]; American Psychiatric Association, 1987) histrionic personality disorder patients, contrasted with a mixed group of 57 other personality disorder patients. All patients were diagnosed by means of a semistructured interview (SCID-II; Spitzer, Williams, & Gibbon, 1987). Effects for diagnostic category were found for MMPI Scales 9 (Ma), 0 (Si) and for the HST scale, developed by Morey, Waugh, and Blashfield (1985) for the diagnosis of the histrionic personality disorder. Further analysis of the results revealed that these MMPI scales, and especially the HST scale, mainly assess a social introversion-extraversion dimension, on which histrionic inpatients can be differentiated from nonhistrionic inpatients. This study does not offer direct empirical support for the use of the HST scale as a measurement of the DSM-III-R histrionic personality disorder concept.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

A videotape as introduction for cognitive behavioral therapy with depressed inpatients.

This paper reports on the development of a videotape "Depression ... the answers" for use in cognitive behavioral therapy with depressed inpatients. 17 patients evaluated the videotape. The described psychoeducational video program was constructed as an introduction for, an opening to, and as a facilitation and clarification of the psychotherapeutic and pharmacological treatments.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Total thyroidectomy in a young girl presenting C cell hyperplasia at the time of a family screening for medullary carcinoma of the thyroid gland].

The authors report on the case of a 5,8 year-old girl whose father died of medullary thyroid carcinoma. When she was 4,5 year-old, her physical examination was normal but plasma calcitonin and katacalcin (PDN-21) levels were abnormally high in response to pentagastrin infusion. Total thyroidectomy was performed and immunohistochemical staining showed confluent C-cell hyperplasia. No recurrence occurred in this patient over four years on follow-up.

Carcinoma, Medullary↗