The association between the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis and tryptophan metabolism in persons with recurrent major depressive disorder and healthy controls

F. J.H. Sorgdrager, B. Doornbos, B. W.J.H. Penninx, P. de Jonge, Ido P. Kema

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Abstract

Objectives Persistent changes in serotonergic and hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis functioning are implicated in recurrent types of major depressive disorder (MDD). Systemic tryptophan levels, which influence the rate of serotonin synthesis, are regulated by glucocorticoids produced along the HPA axis. We investigated tryptophan metabolism and its association with HPA axis functioning in single episode MDD, recurrent MDD and non-depressed individuals. Methods We included depressed individuals (n = 1320) and controls (n = 406) from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA). The kynurenine to tryptophan ratio (kyn/trp ratio) was established using serum kynurenine and tryptophan levels. Several HPA axis parameters were calculated using salivary cortisol samples. We adjusted the regression analyses for a wide range of potential confounders and differentiated between single episode MDD, recurrent MDD and control. Results Tryptophan, kynurenine and the kyn/trp ratio did not differ between controls and depressed individuals. Increased evening cortisol levels were associated with a decreased kyn/trp ratio in the total sample (Crude: β = −.102, p <.001; Adjusted: β = −.083, p = <.001). This association was found to be restricted to recurrently depressed individuals (Crude: β = −.196, p <.001; Adjusted: β = −.145, p =.001). Antidepressant treatment did not affect this association. Conclusions Our results suggest that an imbalance between HPA axis function and tryptophan metabolism could be involved in recurrent depression.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)32-39
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of affective disorders
Volume222
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2017

Keywords

  • Depression
  • Evening cortisol
  • HPA axis
  • Kynurenine
  • Recurrent
  • Tryptophan

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