《生命科学》 2025, 37(3): 250-260

抑郁症发病与HPA轴紊乱研究进展

陈爱萍¹ , 王惠芹² , 陈乃宏^1,2,*

¹三峡大学健康医学院，宜昌 443002 ²湖南中医药大学药学院，长沙 410208

摘　要：

抑郁症是一种复杂的精神障碍，其发病机制尚未完全阐明。近年来，HPA 轴( 下丘脑- 垂体- 肾上腺轴) 功能紊乱及基因水平变异在抑郁症中的关键作用引起了广泛关注。本文系统综述了HPA 轴相关的三种主要激素，CRH、ACTH 和GC，在抑郁症中的异常变化及其病理机制。这些异常包括神经递质失调、神经营养因子功能障碍、神经炎症反应及肠道菌群紊乱等。未来研究应重点探索这些激素的具体作用机制及基因多态性与抑郁症的关系，以期为抑郁症的个性化治疗和新药开发提供理论基础。

通讯作者：陈乃宏 , Email:chennh@imm.ac.cn

Research progress in the pathogenesis of depression and disturbance of HPA axis

CHEN Ai-Ping¹ , WANG Hui-Qin² , CHEN Nai-Hong^1,2,*

¹College of Medicine and Health Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, China ²School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China

Abstract:

Depression is a complex psychiatric disorder with a pathogenesis that remains incompletely elucidated. In recent years, dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and genetic variations have attracted considerable attention due to their pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of depression. This review systematically examines the aberrant changes and pathological mechanisms of three major HPA axis-related hormones, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and glucocorticoids (GC) in depression. These abnormalities include neurotransmitter imbalances, neurotrophic factor dysfunction, neuroinflammatory responses, and gut microbiota dysbiosis. Future research should focus on elucidating the precise mechanisms of these hormonal alterations and the relationship between genetic polymorphisms and depression, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for personalized treatment and novel antidepressant development.

Communication Author：CHEN Nai-Hong , Email:chennh@imm.ac.cn