Resistin and adiponectin in major depression: The association with free cortisol and effects of antidepressant treatment

Major depression is associated with an increased risk for myocardial infarction. Adipokines have been shown to link obesity with metabolic disturbances. Based on this finding the present study was designed to investigate the effect of antidepressive treatment with either amitriptyline or paroxetine on circulating concentrations of resistin and adiponectin in depressed patients, and to establish, whether these adipokines are associated with the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-system.Thirty-seven depressed in-patients were treated in a double-blind, randomized protocol with either amitriptyline or paroxetine over a period of five weeks. After six drug free days blood was drawn on day 1 and again 36 days after antidepressive treatment for the measurement of resistin and adiponectin, fasting glucose and insulin concentrations. For quantification of free cortisol levels saliva was obtained daily at 0800 hours during weeks 1 and 5.While resistin concentrations decreased in patients remitting under amitriptyline and paroxetine (p < 0.03), no changes were observed in non-remitters. At baseline, though not during treatment, circulating resistin concentrations correlated positively with free cortisol levels and with BMI (p < 0.01). Adiponectin levels, however, did not change during treatment and were not associated with free cortisol concentrations but were instead positively related to QUICKI (p < 0.03).In conclusion, the present data revealed resistin but not adiponectin to be related to free cortisol concentrations and to decline in remitters to antidepressive treatment.