A novel NR3C2 polymorphism and the increased thyroid-stimulating hormone concentration are associated with venlafaxine treatment outcome in Chinese Han MDD patients.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to study the association among venlafaxine antidepressive outcome, NR3C2 gene polymorphisms and the change of two neuroendocrine hormones during treatment.

METHODS

195 Chinese Han major depressive disorder (MDD) patients were recruited and received a 6-week venlafaxine treatment in this study. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were measured at the beginning and at the end of treatment. Six single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (NR3C2: rs1512325, rs1512342, rs2070951; NR3C1: rs6191, rs6196, rs10482614) were selected for high-throughput SNP genotyping. Allele and genotype frequencies of them were compared between remission and non-remission groups.

RESULTS

We found that genotype frequency of the rs1512325 located in the NR3C2 gene was significantly different between remission and non-remission groups respectively (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the frequency of the rs1512325 C-allele was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in remission group. The TSH concentration significantly increased after venlafaxine treatment in remission group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The rs1512325 in NR3C2 gene and TSH concentration may be related to venlafaxine treatment outcome in Chinese Han MDD patients.