Abnormal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) activity may provide clues to the neurochemistry of depression. Psychotic depression has one of the highest rates of elevated HPA activity and is most often responsive to the tricyclic class of antidepressants. Because successful treatment resolves HPA as well as psychiatric symptoms, we hypothesized, in light of evidence that tricyclic antid...

Adenohypophysial cells having a glucocorticoid receptor were immunohistochemically determined in rats. For detecting the presence of the glucocorticoid receptor, we used the monoclonal antibody for a glucocorticoid receptor (BuGR-2), and immunohistochemically examined the phenotypes of the cells that exhibited BuGR-2-immunoreactivity. The immunoreaction for the glucocorticoid receptor was confi...

We determined baseline and capture-induced glucocorticoid concentrations during two different seasons in three species of wild free-living rodents: brown lemmings (Lemmus trimucronatus), golden-mantled ground squirrels (Spermophilus saturatus), and yellow-pine chipmunks (Tamias amoenus). Initial blood samples were obtained within 3 min of capture, so that initial glucocorticoid levels reflect b...

This paper is an overview of the diagnosis, differential diagnosis and cellular and molecular mechanisms of glucocorticoid resistant asthma. It addresses the clinical definition and rationale for the diagnosis of therapy resistant asthma. It purports that, since glucocorticoid resistant asthmatics are not globally physiologically glucocorticoid resistant, then the phenomenon is most likely acqu...

The presence of specific steroid hormone receptors in human lymphocytes was investigated in unstimulated and phytohemagglutinin-stimulated glass wool column-purified peripheral blood lymphocytes. Specific steroid binding in intact cells was determined by a whole cell competitive binding assay. Non-phytohemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocytes had about 2700 specific glucocorticoid binding sites per...

The HIV-1 virion-associated accessory protein Vpr affects both viral replication and cellular transcription, proliferation, and differentiation. We report that Vpr enhances the activity of glucocorticoids in lymphoid and muscle-derived cell lines by interacting directly with the glucocorticoid receptor and general transcription factors, acting as a coactivator. Vpr contains the signature motif ...

Glucocorticoid resistance is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Molecular and cellular mechanisms of glucocorticoid resistance in the brain have remained unknown and are potential therapeutic targets. Phosphorylation of glucocorticoid receptors (GR) by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling integrates both pathways for remodeling synaptic structure and plasticity. The goal ...

To determine the effects of glucocorticoid administration on the number of measured lymphocyte glucocorticoid receptor sites and the duration of such effects. seven normal volunteers were studied. Glucocorticoid receptor levels of the lymphocytes circulating in the blood of each volunteer were determined. Glucocorticoid was then administered in a regimen of a total of four doses of dexamethason...

BACKGROUND Glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis is a common clinical problem. OBJECTIVE To determine the pathophysiology of glucocorticoid induced osteoarthritis at the organ level. METHODS Iliac crest biopsy specimens were obtained from nine patients receiving prednisone treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Osteocyte viability and histomorphometric indices were assessed. RESULTS Compared w...