ABSTRACT
Natural-killer-(NK)-cell activity and blood levels of interleukin 2 (IL-2), dehydro-epiandrosterone (DHEA), DHEA sulphate (DHEA-S) and cortisol were measured in 17 patients with major depression and 10 control subjects. Depression severity was evaluated using the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale. NK-cell activity and IL-2 levels were measured using a chromium-51 release test and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Radio-immunoassays were used to measure serum cortisol, DHEA and DHEA-S. As would be expected, patients with major depression had a higher score on the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale than healthy controls. Compared with controls, NK-cell activity and levels of cortisol and DHEA were reduced in patients with major depression, whereas IL-2 levels were increased. No difference was observed in DHEA-S levels between patients and controls. A reduction in NK-cell activity and DHEA levels, and an increase in IL-2 levels appear to be associated with major depression. Whether these changes are the cause or the consequence of the depression remains to be determined.
Subject(s)
Biomarkers , Depression/immunology , Depression/physiopathology , Adult , Dehydroepiandrosterone/blood , Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate/blood , Female , Humans , Hydrocortisone/blood , Interleukin-2/blood , Killer Cells, Natural/immunology , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
A female patient, who was suffering major depression and advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (hepatoma), sought treatment in the Jozuka Mental Clinic. She was treated using a psycho-neuro-immunological approach. The treatments applied were psychotherapy, the antidepressant fluvoxamine, glycyrrhizinic acid and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Biochemical, endocrinological and immunological examinations were performed regularly. Improvement of liver function and reduction of alpha-fetoprotein were observed. The levels of DHEA, natural killer cell activity and cytokines (interleukines IL-2, IL-6, IL-12, interferon IFN-gamma) were normalised. Now, more than two and a half years after her admission, the patient is still well and symptom-free. While this may be a case of spontaneous regression, the results suggest that a psycho-neuro-immunological approach to treating the patient's depression and cancer was helpful for her recovery.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/immunology , Depressive Disorder, Major/immunology , Depressive Disorder, Major/therapy , Stress, Psychological/immunology , Antidepressive Agents/therapeutic use , Aromatherapy , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/blood , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/complications , Combined Modality Therapy , Cytokines/blood , Cytokines/immunology , Depressive Disorder, Major/complications , Depressive Disorder, Major/drug therapy , Female , Humans , Japan , Killer Cells, Natural/immunology , Middle Aged , Music Therapy , Psychoneuroimmunology , Psychotherapy , Stress, Psychological/complications , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
The responses to the Japanese edition of the Jenkins Activity Survey (JAS) (Form C) were analyzed in 1682 male employees of a Japanese enterprise to investigate the characteristics of the Type A behavior pattern (TABP) in Japan. When the occupational level was controlled, the mean values of the Type A score were found to be quite similar to those of the Western Collaborative Group Study (WCGS), although those of factor H scores were considerably lower than those of the WCGS. Additionally, the results of a factor analysis conducted on the responses to JAS questions showed that the factor structure of the responses was basically equal to that found in the WCGS. In contrast to factor J of the WCGS, however, Japanese factor J did not comprise the items which signaled rises in positions or incomes in recent years. The results of this study indicate that the JAS is able to measure the TABP in Japan, at least concerning its three component factors. Furthermore, they suggest that the TAPB is not necessarily reinforced in Japanese occupational environments.
