Depression, especially if chronic, can effect many of the bodies innate functions and disrupt health on all planes including the physical, mental, and spiritual. Yet, studying the effects of depression can be difficult because its effects are so broad. A new study from Israel conducted in lab mice looked at the effects of depression on bone mass. The researchers wanted to determine if depression could contribute to the development of osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is a bone disease characterized by decreased mineralization in the bone. It results in weakness that is so severe minor fractures could occur from daily use. Women are at increased risk for osteoporosis after menopause due to decreased estrogen production. Postmenopausal women are also at increased risk for depression, so the two conditions could create added risk.
For the study mice were induced into a depression like state. Levels of noradrenalin, or norepinephrine, were increased. This hormone is produced by the adrenal glands in response to stress such as that which occurs during clinical depression. Norepinephrine also effects osteoclasts and osteoblasts, the cells in bone responsible for mineral metabolism.
Bone mineral density was measured in the mice pre- and post-depression. Then mice were given antidepressant medications and bone mineral density was re-assessed.
The results were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The researchers in Jerusalem found that depressed mice had decreases in bone mineral density in both the hip and vertebrae, the two areas most recognized for fractures. After treatment with the antidepressant medication the bone mineral density improved in those mice.
This is a new revalation in terms of understanding the effect of depression on bone metabolism. It is an early study, and an animal study but it can give some direction to researchers in terms of developing clinical trials in humans. It supports a previous study that found fluoxetine, an antidepressant medication, effective at increasing bone mineral density.
Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on November 2, 2006 12:48 PM
