Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Toronto (Canada), 2007
Although hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and immune system dysregulation is prevalent in major depression it has not been well studied in bipolar disorder. Since opioids can modulate cortisol and cytokine secretions, this study examined whether opioid system dysfunction was associated with endocrine and immune system abnormalities. In a placebo-controlled cross-over study 8 bipolar depressed, 11 bipolar euthymic and 11 control subjects received 6mg oral hydromorphone. Results showed that basal cortisol, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-12 levels did not significantly differ among subject groups. Bipolar depressed subjects had significantly higher basal IL-8 levels than control and euthymic subjects. Morning IL-6 was significantly elevated in the depressed group compared to the euthymic group. Hydromorphone did not significantly influence cortisol or pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in any subject group however it significantly increased mean IL-10 levels. This is one of the first studies to examine endocrine, immune and opioid dysregulation in a major mental illness
