Cortisol level in men with major depressive disorder treated with fluoxetine or imipramine

The aim of this research was to find out whether increased plasma cortisol levels appear in unipolar or bipolar patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and whether the effective antidepressant treatment by imipramine and fluoxetine leads to regulation of the cortisol level. Cortisol levels were studied in two groups of patients with major depressive disorder: unipolar and bipolar patients treated with fluoxetine (doses: 20-60 mg/day). This group included 5 patients (age 29-46 yr); unipolar and bipolar subjects treated with imipramine (50-150 mg/day), this group included 5 patients (aged 24-70 yr). Cortisol and fluoxetine or imipramine plasma levels were assessed using HPLC methods: before treatment, after 3, 6 and 24 h of drug administration as well as in the 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th week of antidepressant treatment. HPLC methods were previously validated. The research conducted and the clinical data may be useful for proving the essential role of enhanced HPA axis activity for the pathogenesis and depressive disorder proceedings.