Cytoplasmic glucocorticoid receptor content wa quantitated in
lymphocytes from unmedicated depressed patients and control subjects before
and after a standardized dexamethasone suppression test. Depressed patients
(N = 11) had significantly lower (32%) basal cytoplasmic glucocorticoid
receptor content than the control group (N = 14). Suppression of serum
cortisol (5.0 micrograms/dl or less) in both control and depressed subjects
(N = 16) following dexamethasone (1 mg) was associated with a decrease in
lymphocyte cytoplasmic glucocorticoid receptor number, whereas no such
change occurred in cortisol nonsuppressors (N = 9). Changes in receptor
concentration were positively correlated with postdexamethasone serum
cortisol levels and with the inhibitory effect of dexamethasone on
mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation.
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