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Neuroendocrine link between stress, depression and diabetes

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Abstract

Clinical studies have indicated a frequent coexistence of depression and diabetes. Both of these diseases are associated with similar changes in the structure and function of the central nervous system cells and with similar disturbances of cognitive processes. Some morphological and functional changes occurring in these diseases seem to result from exaggerated glucocorticoid, proinflammatory cytokine or glutamate action. Glucocorticoids induced by stress are known not only to affect synaptic plasticity but also to disturb brain glucose metabolism and decrease insulin sensitivity. Functional neuroimaging studies demonstrated altered glucose metabolism in the brains of depressed patients. Changes in the amount or activity of key metabolic enzymes and a lower sensitivity of insulin receptors have been detected in the brains of animal models of both of these diseases. Hence, excess glucocorticoids can lead to impaired insulin action and glucose metabolism, to limited energy supply for proper neuronal function and, consequently, to disturbed synaptic plasticity.

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Abbreviations

AIR:

acute insulin response

BBB:

bloodbrain barrier

BDNF:

brain-derived neurotrophic factor

CNS:

central nervous system

CRF:

corticotropin-releasing factor

CUMS:

chronic unpredictable mild stress

GLP:

glucagonlike peptide

GLUT:

glucose transporter

GR:

glucocorticoid receptors

HFD:

high-fat diet

HK:

hexokinase

HPA:

hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal

IGF:

insulin-like growth factor

IRs:

insulin receptors

IRS:

insulin receptor substrate

MR:

mineralocorticoid receptors

NGF:

nerve growth factor

PVN:

hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus

SOCS:

suppressor of cytokine signaling

VMH:

hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Experimental Neuroendocrinology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Smętna 12, PL 31-343, Poland

    Jan Detka, Anna Kurek, Agnieszka Basta-Kaim, Marta Kubera, Władysław Lasoń & Bogusława Budziszewska

  2. Department of Biochemical Toxicology, Chair of Toxicology, Medical Colege, Jagielonian University, Kraków, Medyczna 9, PL 30-688, Poland

    Bogusława Budziszewska

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  1. Jan Detka
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  2. Anna Kurek
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Correspondence to Bogusława Budziszewska.

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Detka, J., Kurek, A., Basta-Kaim, A. et al. Neuroendocrine link between stress, depression and diabetes. Pharmacol. Rep 65, 1591–1600 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1016/S1734-1140(13)71520-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1734-1140(13)71520-2

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