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Glucocorticoid Effects on Cellular Cytokine Release
This study has been completed.
Sponsored by: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Information provided by: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00001415
  Purpose

A variety of hormones and immune system processes are responsible for how the body responds to illness. This study concentrates on how the hormone cortisol effects the release of immune system factors called cytokines.

Cortisol is a hormone produced in the adrenal glands as a response to stimulation from the pituitary gland. Abnormal levels of cortisol have been seen in several diseases such as depression and multiple sclerosis.

Cytokines are factors produced by certain white blood cells. They act by changing the cells that produce them (autocrine effect), altering other cells close to them (paracrine), and effecting cells throughout the body (endocrine effect). Cytokines are important in controlling inflammation processes.

In this study researchers would like to determine if changes in levels of hormones in the blood are associated with changes in cytokine levels. In addition, researchers would like to learn more about how cytokines respond to hormones in certain diseases.


Condition
Depressive Disorder
Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic
Fibromyalgia
Healthy
Inflammation

MedlinePlus related topics: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Depression Fibromyalgia
U.S. FDA Resources
Study Type: Observational
Official Title: Glucocorticoid Effects on Cellular Cytokine Release

Further study details as provided by National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC):

Estimated Enrollment: 130
Study Start Date: May 1994
Estimated Study Completion Date: July 2000
Detailed Description:

Many of the biochemical alterations observed in people suffering from major depression are changes in the concentrations and activity of components of the generalized stress response. These include the principal hypothalamic stimulus of pituitary-adrenal activation (corticotropin releasing hormone) and the locus ceruleus/norepinephrine system. The current study attempts to provide a clearer picture of the stability of changes during the acute illness, the treatment phase and the recovery process. We particularly wish to determine whether abnormalities in HPA axis perturbability in the well-state can be demonstrated, and if so how these are related to the acutely-ill state, since this information could provide a quantifiable phenotypic marker for depression.

  Eligibility

Genders Eligible for Study:   Both
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:   Yes
Criteria

Healthy volunteers.

Depressed patients.

Fibromyalgia patients.

Chronic fatigue patients.

Subjects must not have been treated with steroids for more than two weeks during the previous year.

Subjects must not be on chronic medications.

Subjects must not have known medical problems or any condition which interferes with their immune system's ability to respond to infections (talk with your physician if you are not sure about a particular situation).

  Contacts and Locations
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00001415

Locations
United States, Maryland
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892
Sponsors and Collaborators
  More Information

Publications:
Study ID Numbers: 940146, 94-M-0146
Study First Received: November 3, 1999
Last Updated: March 3, 2008
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00001415  
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government

Keywords provided by National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC):
IL-1
IL-6
Immune Response
Inflammation
Steroids
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Depression
Fibromyalgia
Normal Volunteer

Study placed in the following topic categories:
Fatigue
Depression
Myalgic encephalomyelitis
Fibromyalgia
Myofascial Pain Syndromes
Central Nervous System Diseases
Encephalomyelitis
Pain
Healthy
Rheumatic Diseases
Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic
Depressive Disorder
Inflammation
Behavioral Symptoms
Virus Diseases
Muscular Diseases
Neuromuscular Diseases
Musculoskeletal Diseases
Mental Disorders
Mood Disorders

Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Disease
Pathologic Processes
Syndrome
Nervous System Diseases

ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on January 15, 2009