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BMC Psychiatry
Published in: BMC Psychiatry 1/2024

Open Access 01-12-2024 | Panic Disorder | Research

Effects of antidepressant on FKBP51 mRNA expression and neuroendocrine hormones in patients with panic disorder

Authors: Zhili Zou, Yulan Huang, Michael Maes, Jinyu Wang, Ying He, Wenjiao Min, Bo Zhou

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2024

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Abstract

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of escitalopram on the peripheral expression of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis-related genes (FKBP51, HSP90, NR3C1 and POMC) and HPA-axis hormones in patients with panic disorder (PD).

Methods

Seventy-seven patients with PD were treated with escitalopram for 12 weeks. All participants were assessed for the severity of panic symptoms using the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS). The expression of HPA-axis genes was measured using real-time quantitative fluorescent PCR, and ACTH and cortisol levels were measured using chemiluminescence at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment.

Results

At baseline, patients with PD had elevated levels of ACTH and cortisol, and FKBP51 expression in comparison to healthy controls (all p < 0.01). Correlation analysis revealed that FKBP51 expression levels were significantly positively related to cortisol levels and the severity of PD (all p < 0.01). Furthermore, baseline ACTH and cortisol levels, and FKBP51 expression levels were significantly reduced after 12 weeks of treatment, and the change in the PDSS score from baseline to post-treatment was significantly and positively related to the change in cortisol (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

The results suggest that PD may be associated with elevated levels of ACTH and cortisol, and FKBP51 expression, and that all three biomarkers are substantially decreased in patients who have received escitalopram treatment.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Effects of antidepressant on FKBP51 mRNA expression and neuroendocrine hormones in patients with panic disorder
Authors
Zhili Zou
Yulan Huang
Michael Maes
Jinyu Wang
Ying He
Wenjiao Min
Bo Zhou
Publication date
01-12-2024
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-024-05704-4

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