Les glucocorticoïdes sont des substances très utilisées en thérapeutique, mais parfois détournées de leur utilisation première par les sportifs. Si l’effet ergogénique d’une prise de courte durée de glucocorticoïdes chez l’homme a été démontré, les répercussions de cette prise chez la femme et les mécanismes impliqués restent mal connus. Dans une première étude, nous nous sommes intéressés aux effets d’une prise de courte durée de prednisone (50 mg/j/7j) lors de la réalisation d’un exercice submaximal jusqu’à épuisement chez des volontaires sains de sexe féminin pratiquant une activité physique régulière. Nous avons mis en évidence une performance significativement améliorée sous glucocorticoïdes, avec des altérations métaboliques et hormonales vs. placebo comparables à celles mises en évidence chez le sujet de sexe masculin. Il apparaît donc qu’il n’existe pas d’effet « genre », à l’exception toutefois d’une absence d’insulino-résistance sous corticoïdes chez la femme. Dans une deuxième étude effectuée lors d’un exercice de plus longue durée, la prise de prednisone vs. placebo induit en fin d’exercice une augmentation des concentrations d’acides aminés branchés et de la glycémie, pouvant être interprétée comme une augmentation de la néoglycogénèse. Dans une troisième étude, nous avons mis en évidence qu’un traitement d’une semaine de prednisone per os ne semblait altérer l’axe hypothalamo-hypophysosurrénalien que de manière très transitoire, avec un retour à des concentrations basales de cortisol et de DHEA seulement 3 jours après la fin du traitement. Enfin, dans une étude préliminaire effectuée sur modèle animal, grâce au concours du Laboratoire de Neurobiologie, la prednisone semble augmenter la sérotonine et son métabolite chez les souris sédentaires au repos. / Glucocorticoids are widely used as therapeutic substances, but sometimes diverted from their primary use by athletes. The ergogenic effect of short-term glucocorticoid administration was previously demonstrated in men subjects but its effect in women as well as the mechanisms involved remain unknown. In a first study, we investigated the effects of short-term prednisone intake (50 mg/j/7j) during a submaximal exercise until exhaustion in healthy recreationally-trained women. Under glucocorticoid, performance was significantly improved, with comparable hormonal and metabolic alterations vs placebo as in male subjects. It appears therefore that there is no "gender" effect, except an absence of glucocorticoid- induced insulin resistance in women. In a second study realized during a more prolonged exercise, prednisone intake induced vs. placebo, an increase in branched amino acids and in blood glucose concentrations at the end of exercise, which can be interpreted as an increase in gluconeogenesis. In a third study, we have highlighted that 1-week per os prednisone treatment only suppressed hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in very transient manner, with a return of cortisol and DHEA concentrations to basal values 3 days after the end of treatment. Finally, in a preliminary study on animal model, thanks to the Neurobiology Laboratory, prednisone seemed to increase serotonin and its metabolite in resting sedentary mices.

In this study, large areas of goldfish telencephalon were ablated including rostral nucleus preopticus periventriculare (rNPP), and degenerating axons were traced by a modified Fink and Heimer procedure. The lesioning procedure ablated large regions of area dorsalis telencephali pars medialis, centralis, and dorsolateral complex; and completely removed area ventralis telencephali pars dorsalis, ventralis, and lateralis. In addition, the supracommissural nucleus and rNPP were lesioned specifically because both nuclei have been thought to be involved in courtship behavior and endocrine control of reproduction. This investigation demonstrated extensive fiber projections from telencephalic nuclei and/or rNPP to the hypothalamus. Lesioned telencephalon and/or rNPP projected bilaterally to nucleus preopticus and the suprachiasmatic nucleus and unilaterally to the following tuberal nuclei: nucleus anterior tuberis, and the lateral hypothalamic nucleus. A much larger fiber projection to the inferior lobe nuclei was also observed with a large contralateral as well as ipsilateral input.

No / Gestational stress (GS) produces profound behavioural impairments in the offspring and may permanently programme hypothalamic¿pituitary¿adrenal (HPA) axis function. We investigated whether or not GS produced changes in the maternal behaviour of rat dams, and measured depression-like behaviour in the dam, which might contribute to effects in the progeny. We used the Porsolt test, which measures immobility in a forced-swim task, and models depression in rodents, while monitoring maternal care (arched-back nursing, licking/grooming, nesting/grouping pups). Pregnant rats underwent daily restraint stress (1 h/day, days 10¿20 of gestation), or were left undisturbed (control). On post-parturition days 3 and 4, dams were placed into a swim tank, and time spent immobile was measured. GS significantly elevated immobility scores by approximately 25% above control values on the second test day. Maternal behaviours, in particular arched-back nursing and nesting/grouping pups, were reduced in GS dams over post-natal days 1¿10. Adult offspring showed increased immobility in the Porsolt test, and also hypersecreted ACTH and CORT in response to an acute stress challenge. These data show that GS can alter maternal behaviour in mothers, and this might contribute to alterations in the offspring. GS may be an important factor in maternal post-natal depression, which may in turn detrimentally effect the offspring because depressed mothers do not sufficiently care for their offspring.

yes / Seasonal or photoperiodically sensitive animals respond to altered day length with changes in physiology (growth, food intake and reproductive status) and behaviour to adapt to predictable yearly changes in the climate. Typically, different species of hamsters, voles and sheep are the most studied animal models of photoperiodism. Although laboratory rats are generally considered nonphotoperiodic, one rat strain, the inbred Fischer 344 (F344) rat, has been shown to be sensitive to the length of daylight exposure by changing its physiological phenotype and reproductive status according to the season. The present study aimed to better understand the nature of the photoperiodic response in the F344 rat. We examined the effects of five different photoperiods on the physiological and neuroendocrine responses. Young male F344 rats were held under light schedules ranging from 8 h of light/day to 16 h of light/day, and then body weight, including fat and lean mass, food intake, testes weights and hypothalamic gene expression were compared. We found that rats held under photoperiods of ≥ 12 h of light/day showed increased growth and food intake relative to rats held under photoperiods of ≤ 10 h of light/day. Magnetic resonance imaging analysis confirmed that these changes were mainly the result of a change in lean body mass. The same pattern was evident for reproductive status, with higher paired testes weight in photoperiods of ≥ 12 h of light/day. Accompanying the changes in physiological status were major changes in hypothalamic thyroid hormone (Dio2 and Dio3), retinoic acid (Crabp1 and Stra6) and Wnt/b-Catenin signalling genes (sFrp2 and Mfrp). Our data demonstrate that a photoperiod schedule of 12 h of light/day is interpreted as a stimulatory photoperiod by the neuroendocrine system of young male F344 rats.

No description available.

Cortisol, the principal glucocorticoid secreted from the adrenal glands, is essential for life. Healthy cortisol levels are maintained through negative feedback on the central nervous system (CNS) – pituitary stimulatory apparatus which regulates production of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and contains a light–entrained intrinsic CNS driven diurnal rhythm. Cortisol participates in a regulatory mechanism where inflammatory cytokines stimulate cortisol release and cortisol in turn suppresses cytokine release. The effects of cortisol in inflammatory states include elevating blood pressure and metabolic regulation. This thesis contains three exploratory studies examining circulating cortisolaemia using the best available methodologies (total and free cortisol and corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG)) in clinical states characterized by immune activation/ inflammation and altered blood pressure. These clinical states include: (1) septic shock, (2) hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and (3) obesity-induced hypertension. Prior to the studies described here, little was know about cortisolaemia in these common pathological states. Septic shock is a life threatening condition that complicates severe infection and is characterized by systemic inflammation and refractory hypotension. High plasma total cortisol levels and attenuated responses to synthetic ACTH stimulation are associated with increased mortality. The use of corticosteroids in septic shock has been highly controversial for decades, however recent trials have reported haemodynamic and survival benefits associated with the use of physiologic steroid replacement in patients with relative adrenal insufficiency (RAI) – currently defined as a total cortisol increment of 248 nmol/L or less following ACTH (250 μg) stimulation. However, CBG and albumin levels fall by around 50% with an increase in plasma free cortisol in critical illness. Hence, total cortisol may not reflect the biologically active free (unbound) cortisol, suggesting that standard assays for plasma cortisol (which measure total plasma cortisol) underestimate HPA axis activity. In this study, we have showed that plasma free cortisol is a better guide to circulating glucocorticoid activity in systemic infection than total cortisol. We have also validated the use of Coolens’ method in estimating free cortisol in systemic infection, using plasma total cortisol and CBG measurements as plasma free cortisol is not performed in clinical laboratories. Free cortisol measurement allows better categorization of RAI and non-RAI groups with a free cortisol increment of 110 nmol/L as cut-off. Moreover, we have shown that survivors of RAI have normal adrenocortical function on follow-up testing suggesting a lack of functional adrenal reserve rather than adrenal damage during critical illness. Larger randomized controlled trials will be required to redefine RAI using free cortisol measurements and relate that to clinical outcomes and responses to corticosteroid therapy. Nitric oxide (NO) is normally produced in the endothelium by the constitutive form of the NO synthase and this physiologic production is important for blood pressure regulation and blood flow distribution. Studies have shown that an overproduction of NO by the inducible form of NO synthase (iNOS) may contribute to the hypotension, cardiodepression and vascular hyporeactivity in septic shock. Clinical studies of non-selective inhibitors of the L-arginine nitric oxide pathway showed increased mortality from cardiovascular complications. However, glucocorticoids, which improve vasopressor sensitivity, may act by partially suppressing NO synthesis through selective direct inhibition of iNOS, and suppression of inflammatory cytokine synthesis. Hence, plasma nitrate/ nitrite (NOx) levels may provide a titratable end point to individualize glucocorticoid therapy in sepsis. The NOx study in this thesis showed that cortisol (total and free), CBG and NOx correlated to illness severity. Free cortisol, and to a lesser extent total cortisol, but not NOx levels, predicted septic shock. NOx levels were characteristically stable within individuals but inter-individual differences were only partly accounted for by illness severity or renal dysfunction. NOx levels correlated weakly with cortisol, did not relate to the need for vasopressors and were not suppressed by hydrocortisone treatment. Thus, NOx is not a suitable target for glucocorticoid therapy in septic shock. Pregnancy is the only sustained physiologic state of hypercortisolism in humans. A large body of data suggests that excessive foetal and prenatal glucocorticoid exposure leads to reduced birth weight and adverse health in offspring such as elevated blood pressure and insulin resistance. Pre-eclampsia and gamete donor pregnancies are associated with immune activation, elevated inflammatory cytokines as well as elevated blood pressure. Prior to the study described in this thesis however, there was no prospective data on maternal cortisolaemia in these complicated pregnancies. My study has demonstrated for the first time that there was a substantial fall in plasma CBG levels in the last few weeks of gestation with a corresponding rise in free cortisol in normal pregnancy, a finding obscured for methodological reasons in past studies. This free cortisol elevation in late pregnancy may facilitate organ maturation in the foetus and perhaps prepare the mother for the metabolic demands of labour. In pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension, plasma CBG, total and free cortisol levels were lower in late third trimester; and in IUGR, plasma CBG levels were suppressed from 28 weeks gestation until delivery but with no significant difference in plasma total and free cortisol. Women with assisted reproduction using donor gametes/ embryos had significantly lower plasma CBG, total and free cortisol levels even in those with normal pregnancy outcomes. Low CBG may be due to reduced synthesis or enhanced inflammation-driven degradation. Low maternal cortisol may be due to a lack of placental corticotropin-releasing hormone, or reduced maternal ACTH, driving cortisol production. This unanticipated maternal hypocortisolism in complicated pregnancies may trigger precocious activation of the foetal HPA axis and could have implications for postnatal and adult health. Speculatively, since excess prenatal GCs increase HPA axis activity, we proposed that maternal hypocortisolism may predispose to the hypocortisolaemic state characterized by fatigue, pain and stress sensitivity, in offspring. The third state of immune/ inflammatory activation associated with blood pressure dysregulation studied in this thesis is obesity. The epidemiologic relationship between obesity and hypertension is widely recognised. Central obesity in particular has been associated with exaggerated HPA responses to stimuli. Studies of severe dieting and starvation resulted in hypercortisolism and a significant decrease in CBG. The HPA axis and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) have been implicated in the pathophysiology of obesity-induced hypertension. However, there is little data on the effect of moderate weight loss (30% caloric restriction) on adrenocortical function, and the relation of adrenal hormones to altered blood pressure with weight loss. In this study, measures of HPA axis and RAAS and blood pressure monitoring were performed in twenty-five obese subjects before and after a 12-week diet program (6000kJ/day). Short-term, moderate weight loss (mean 8.5 kg) was associated with a small reduction in blood pressure (mean arterial pressure 6 mmHg) and significantly reduced levels of aldosterone and renin but not cortisol levels. These findings suggest that aldosterone may have an important role in the blood pressure reduction with weight loss via a renin mediated mechanism, perhaps involving renal sympathetic tone. In contrast to severe caloric restriction, HPA axis activation does not occur with moderate weight loss. This suggests a threshold effect of weight loss on the HPA axis where greater caloric restriction is required for HPA stimulation, or a counterbalancing of central and direct adrenal effects on HPA axis function. Overall, these three exploratory studies have provided novel data on HPA axis function in systemic infection, pregnancy and in diet-induced weight loss. Each study offers a basis for further studies of HPA axis function in these disorders. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1289330 / Thesis(Ph.D.)-- School of Medicine, 2007.

Cortisol, the principal glucocorticoid secreted from the adrenal glands, is essential for life. Healthy cortisol levels are maintained through negative feedback on the central nervous system (CNS) – pituitary stimulatory apparatus which regulates production of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and contains a light–entrained intrinsic CNS driven diurnal rhythm. Cortisol participates in a regulatory mechanism where inflammatory cytokines stimulate cortisol release and cortisol in turn suppresses cytokine release. The effects of cortisol in inflammatory states include elevating blood pressure and metabolic regulation. This thesis contains three exploratory studies examining circulating cortisolaemia using the best available methodologies (total and free cortisol and corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG)) in clinical states characterized by immune activation/ inflammation and altered blood pressure. These clinical states include: (1) septic shock, (2) hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and (3) obesity-induced hypertension. Prior to the studies described here, little was know about cortisolaemia in these common pathological states. Septic shock is a life threatening condition that complicates severe infection and is characterized by systemic inflammation and refractory hypotension. High plasma total cortisol levels and attenuated responses to synthetic ACTH stimulation are associated with increased mortality. The use of corticosteroids in septic shock has been highly controversial for decades, however recent trials have reported haemodynamic and survival benefits associated with the use of physiologic steroid replacement in patients with relative adrenal insufficiency (RAI) – currently defined as a total cortisol increment of 248 nmol/L or less following ACTH (250 μg) stimulation. However, CBG and albumin levels fall by around 50% with an increase in plasma free cortisol in critical illness. Hence, total cortisol may not reflect the biologically active free (unbound) cortisol, suggesting that standard assays for plasma cortisol (which measure total plasma cortisol) underestimate HPA axis activity. In this study, we have showed that plasma free cortisol is a better guide to circulating glucocorticoid activity in systemic infection than total cortisol. We have also validated the use of Coolens’ method in estimating free cortisol in systemic infection, using plasma total cortisol and CBG measurements as plasma free cortisol is not performed in clinical laboratories. Free cortisol measurement allows better categorization of RAI and non-RAI groups with a free cortisol increment of 110 nmol/L as cut-off. Moreover, we have shown that survivors of RAI have normal adrenocortical function on follow-up testing suggesting a lack of functional adrenal reserve rather than adrenal damage during critical illness. Larger randomized controlled trials will be required to redefine RAI using free cortisol measurements and relate that to clinical outcomes and responses to corticosteroid therapy. Nitric oxide (NO) is normally produced in the endothelium by the constitutive form of the NO synthase and this physiologic production is important for blood pressure regulation and blood flow distribution. Studies have shown that an overproduction of NO by the inducible form of NO synthase (iNOS) may contribute to the hypotension, cardiodepression and vascular hyporeactivity in septic shock. Clinical studies of non-selective inhibitors of the L-arginine nitric oxide pathway showed increased mortality from cardiovascular complications. However, glucocorticoids, which improve vasopressor sensitivity, may act by partially suppressing NO synthesis through selective direct inhibition of iNOS, and suppression of inflammatory cytokine synthesis. Hence, plasma nitrate/ nitrite (NOx) levels may provide a titratable end point to individualize glucocorticoid therapy in sepsis. The NOx study in this thesis showed that cortisol (total and free), CBG and NOx correlated to illness severity. Free cortisol, and to a lesser extent total cortisol, but not NOx levels, predicted septic shock. NOx levels were characteristically stable within individuals but inter-individual differences were only partly accounted for by illness severity or renal dysfunction. NOx levels correlated weakly with cortisol, did not relate to the need for vasopressors and were not suppressed by hydrocortisone treatment. Thus, NOx is not a suitable target for glucocorticoid therapy in septic shock. Pregnancy is the only sustained physiologic state of hypercortisolism in humans. A large body of data suggests that excessive foetal and prenatal glucocorticoid exposure leads to reduced birth weight and adverse health in offspring such as elevated blood pressure and insulin resistance. Pre-eclampsia and gamete donor pregnancies are associated with immune activation, elevated inflammatory cytokines as well as elevated blood pressure. Prior to the study described in this thesis however, there was no prospective data on maternal cortisolaemia in these complicated pregnancies. My study has demonstrated for the first time that there was a substantial fall in plasma CBG levels in the last few weeks of gestation with a corresponding rise in free cortisol in normal pregnancy, a finding obscured for methodological reasons in past studies. This free cortisol elevation in late pregnancy may facilitate organ maturation in the foetus and perhaps prepare the mother for the metabolic demands of labour. In pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension, plasma CBG, total and free cortisol levels were lower in late third trimester; and in IUGR, plasma CBG levels were suppressed from 28 weeks gestation until delivery but with no significant difference in plasma total and free cortisol. Women with assisted reproduction using donor gametes/ embryos had significantly lower plasma CBG, total and free cortisol levels even in those with normal pregnancy outcomes. Low CBG may be due to reduced synthesis or enhanced inflammation-driven degradation. Low maternal cortisol may be due to a lack of placental corticotropin-releasing hormone, or reduced maternal ACTH, driving cortisol production. This unanticipated maternal hypocortisolism in complicated pregnancies may trigger precocious activation of the foetal HPA axis and could have implications for postnatal and adult health. Speculatively, since excess prenatal GCs increase HPA axis activity, we proposed that maternal hypocortisolism may predispose to the hypocortisolaemic state characterized by fatigue, pain and stress sensitivity, in offspring. The third state of immune/ inflammatory activation associated with blood pressure dysregulation studied in this thesis is obesity. The epidemiologic relationship between obesity and hypertension is widely recognised. Central obesity in particular has been associated with exaggerated HPA responses to stimuli. Studies of severe dieting and starvation resulted in hypercortisolism and a significant decrease in CBG. The HPA axis and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) have been implicated in the pathophysiology of obesity-induced hypertension. However, there is little data on the effect of moderate weight loss (30% caloric restriction) on adrenocortical function, and the relation of adrenal hormones to altered blood pressure with weight loss. In this study, measures of HPA axis and RAAS and blood pressure monitoring were performed in twenty-five obese subjects before and after a 12-week diet program (6000kJ/day). Short-term, moderate weight loss (mean 8.5 kg) was associated with a small reduction in blood pressure (mean arterial pressure 6 mmHg) and significantly reduced levels of aldosterone and renin but not cortisol levels. These findings suggest that aldosterone may have an important role in the blood pressure reduction with weight loss via a renin mediated mechanism, perhaps involving renal sympathetic tone. In contrast to severe caloric restriction, HPA axis activation does not occur with moderate weight loss. This suggests a threshold effect of weight loss on the HPA axis where greater caloric restriction is required for HPA stimulation, or a counterbalancing of central and direct adrenal effects on HPA axis function. Overall, these three exploratory studies have provided novel data on HPA axis function in systemic infection, pregnancy and in diet-induced weight loss. Each study offers a basis for further studies of HPA axis function in these disorders. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1289330 / Thesis(Ph.D.)-- School of Medicine, 2007.

Introdução: Alterações nos eixos Hipotálamo-Hipófise-Adrenal (HHA) e Hipotálamo-Hipófise-Tireóide (HHT) estão associados a depressão. Objetivo: Avaliar a associação entre depressão e alterações nos eixos HHA, HHT e o estresse precoce (EP) em deprimidos. Metodologia: Foram avaliados 52 deprimidos e 52 voluntários com idade entre 18 e 45 anos. O diagnóstico de depressão foi baseado no DSM-IV e MINI. A gravidade da depressão foi avaliada pela HAM-D-17 e pelo IDB. Foram aplicados o CTQ buscando avaliar eventos estressantes na infância, além de questionário sócio-demográfico e clínico. Voluntários foram pareados segundo sexo, idade, IMC e submetidos aos mesmos questionários. Foram realizadas dosagem de TSH, T4 livre, anticorpos anti TPO e ATG, Cortisol plasmático, ACTH, DHEA-s, lipidograma, glicemia de jejum e cortisol salivar em 05 tempos. Resultados: Todos os deprimidos apresentaram história de EP. Houve concentrações maiores de TSH, anti TPO, anti TG, cortisol plasmático e salivar, ACTH, colesterol total, LDL, VLDL, triglicérides, AUC 8-23 e AUC0-30-60, além de concentrações menores de DHEA-s e HDL em casos do que controles, considerando a primeira e segunda coleta de dados e conforme a amostra estudada. Houve correlações entre as variáveis estudadas. Conclusão: O EP foi um dos fatores de risco para depressão. Achados desse estudo confirmam a literatura quando se compara deprimidos com controles e se relaciona depressão com os eixos HHT, HHA e o EP. Esse foi o primeiro estudo em que se comparou todas as variáveis supracitadas em pessoas CEP e SEP, gerando resultados positivos, além de revelar diferenças de gênero conforme o resultado. / Introduction: Changes in the axis hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) are associated with depression. Objective: Evaluating the association among depression and changes in the HPA, HPT axes and early stress (ES) in depressed. Methodology: A total of 52 depressed and 52 volunteers aged between 18 and 45 years were evaluated. Depression diagnosis was based on DSM-IV and MINI. The severity of depression was assessed by HAM-D-17 and BDI. The CTQ were applied for assessing stressful events in childhood, as well as socio-demographic and clinical questionnaire. Volunteers were paired by gender, age, BMI, and underwent the same questionnaires. TSH measurement was performed, free T4, anti TPO and ATG antibodies, plasma cortisol, ACTH, DHEA-s, lipid profile, fasting glucose and salivary cortisol in 05 times. Results: All depressed had history of ES. There were higher concentrations of TSH, anti TPO, anti TG, plasma and salivary cortisol, ACTH, total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL, triglycerides, AUC 8-23 and AUC0-30-60 and lower concentrations of DHEA-s and HDL in cases than controls, taking into account the first and second data collection and according to the studied sample. There were correlations between variables. Conclusion: The ES was one of the risk factors for depression. Findings of this study confirm the literature when compared depressed with controls and associated depression with HPT, HPA axes and ES. This was the first study in which we compared all the above variables in people WES and WOES, generating positive results and revealed gender differences according to result.

Introdução: Alterações nos eixos Hipotálamo-Hipófise-Adrenal (HHA) e Hipotálamo-Hipófise-Tireóide (HHT) estão associados a depressão. Objetivo: Avaliar a associação entre depressão e alterações nos eixos HHA, HHT e o estresse precoce (EP) em deprimidos. Metodologia: Foram avaliados 52 deprimidos e 52 voluntários com idade entre 18 e 45 anos. O diagnóstico de depressão foi baseado no DSM-IV e MINI. A gravidade da depressão foi avaliada pela HAM-D-17 e pelo IDB. Foram aplicados o CTQ buscando avaliar eventos estressantes na infância, além de questionário sócio-demográfico e clínico. Voluntários foram pareados segundo sexo, idade, IMC e submetidos aos mesmos questionários. Foram realizadas dosagem de TSH, T4 livre, anticorpos anti TPO e ATG, Cortisol plasmático, ACTH, DHEA-s, lipidograma, glicemia de jejum e cortisol salivar em 05 tempos. Resultados: Todos os deprimidos apresentaram história de EP. Houve concentrações maiores de TSH, anti TPO, anti TG, cortisol plasmático e salivar, ACTH, colesterol total, LDL, VLDL, triglicérides, AUC 8-23 e AUC0-30-60, além de concentrações menores de DHEA-s e HDL em casos do que controles, considerando a primeira e segunda coleta de dados e conforme a amostra estudada. Houve correlações entre as variáveis estudadas. Conclusão: O EP foi um dos fatores de risco para depressão. Achados desse estudo confirmam a literatura quando se compara deprimidos com controles e se relaciona depressão com os eixos HHT, HHA e o EP. Esse foi o primeiro estudo em que se comparou todas as variáveis supracitadas em pessoas CEP e SEP, gerando resultados positivos, além de revelar diferenças de gênero conforme o resultado. / Introduction: Changes in the axis hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) are associated with depression. Objective: Evaluating the association among depression and changes in the HPA, HPT axes and early stress (ES) in depressed. Methodology: A total of 52 depressed and 52 volunteers aged between 18 and 45 years were evaluated. Depression diagnosis was based on DSM-IV and MINI. The severity of depression was assessed by HAM-D-17 and BDI. The CTQ were applied for assessing stressful events in childhood, as well as socio-demographic and clinical questionnaire. Volunteers were paired by gender, age, BMI, and underwent the same questionnaires. TSH measurement was performed, free T4, anti TPO and ATG antibodies, plasma cortisol, ACTH, DHEA-s, lipid profile, fasting glucose and salivary cortisol in 05 times. Results: All depressed had history of ES. There were higher concentrations of TSH, anti TPO, anti TG, plasma and salivary cortisol, ACTH, total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL, triglycerides, AUC 8-23 and AUC0-30-60 and lower concentrations of DHEA-s and HDL in cases than controls, taking into account the first and second data collection and according to the studied sample. There were correlations between variables. Conclusion: The ES was one of the risk factors for depression. Findings of this study confirm the literature when compared depressed with controls and associated depression with HPT, HPA axes and ES. This was the first study in which we compared all the above variables in people WES and WOES, generating positive results and revealed gender differences according to result.

Thesis (Ph. D.) -- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 2004. / Vita. Bibliography: 127-149.