Posted by Ame Sans Vie on February 3, 2003, at 17:41:25
In reply to Re: Mifepristole (RU-486) lowers cortisol?, posted by SLS on February 3, 2003, at 15:04:47
Hi, thanks for the info. This is all I've found so far on ketoconazole:
"BACKGROUND: Hypercortisolemia is frequently observed in major depression but its pathophysiologic significance is unknown. In patients in whom hypercortisolism contributes to depressive symptomatology, antiglucocorticoid agents should have antidepressant effects. METHODS: Twenty medication-free depressed patients (eight of whom were hypercortisolemic and twelve of whom were not) received either the cortisol biosynthesis inhibitor, ketoconazole (400-800 mg/d p.o.) or placebo for 4 weeks in a double-blind manner, and behavioral ratings were performed weekly. RESULTS: Ketoconazole, compared to placebo, was associated with improvements in depression ratings in the hypercortisolemic, but not in the non-hypercortisolemic patients. The hormonal changes seen (decreased dehydroepiandrosterone and testosterone levels and increased pregnenolone and pregnenolone-sulfate levels) are consistent with enzymatic blockade of C17,20-lyase, 11-hydroxylase, and 17-hydroxylase. Ketoconazole was generally well tolerated with no occurrence of significant side effects or laboratory abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: This small-scale double-blind study suggests that antiglucocorticoids have antidepressant activity in hypercortisolemic depressed patients. The data are consistent with a causal role of adrenocortical dysfunction in some depressed patients and suggest the need for larger-scale trials." http://www.biopsychiatry.com/ketoconazole.htm
I'll post more as I find it!
--Michael
poster:Ame Sans Vie
thread:139015
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030130/msgs/139165.html