2026年第3期甲状腺功能亢进与抑郁共病的神经-内分泌-免疫机制及干预进展
1.广东医科大学第一临床医学院,广东湛江 5240232.南方医科大学第十附属医院(东莞市人民医院)全科医学科,广东东莞 5230593.南方医科大学第十附属医院(东莞市人民医院)内分泌科,广东东莞 523059
摘 要: 甲状腺功能亢进症(HT)以甲状腺激素异常增高为特征,可导致多系统功能紊乱,并常伴焦虑与抑郁等情绪障碍,其发生机制与神经-内分泌-免疫(NEI)网络失衡密切相关。过量甲状腺激素可通过下丘脑-垂体-甲状腺轴(HPT轴)轴与下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺轴(HPA轴)异常耦合,扰动中枢应激反应及神经递质稳态,同时伴随免疫炎症和氧化应激,损伤神经可塑性及突触功能,形成神经-内分泌-免疫交互失衡的正反馈循环。本文综述了HT合并抑郁的流行病学特征及NEI调控机制,并总结了以内分泌稳态调节、抗炎免疫干预及综合治疗为核心的干预策略,为HT相关抑郁的精准评估与个体化治疗提供理论与实践依据。
关键词: 甲状腺功能亢进症; 抑郁;神经-内分泌-免疫机制; 下丘脑-垂体-甲状腺轴; 干预策略
甲状腺激素(TH)在调控机体代谢、能量稳态与神经发育中发挥关键作用,其生理功能主要由三碘甲状腺原氨酸(T3)和甲状腺素(T4)介导,对中枢神经系统(CNS)的可塑性、神经递质代谢及情绪稳态具有深远影响[1]。当甲状腺功能异常,尤其在甲状腺功能亢进症(HT)状态下,机体代谢亢进、交感神经系统过度激活及氧化应激增强,不仅引发心血管与代谢紊乱,而且显著影响脑功能与精神状态[2]。30%~60%的HT患者伴发焦虑或抑郁,且部分患者在甲状腺功能恢复后情绪障碍仍持续存在[3,4]。这一现象提示,HT与抑郁的共病关系并非单纯源于激素浓度异常,而可能反映神经-内分泌-免疫系统间更复杂的交互失衡。
甲状腺激素通过下丘脑-垂体-甲状腺(HPT)轴与下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺(HPA)轴形成双向调控网络关系。当TH分泌过度时,HPA轴反馈抑制受损,皮质醇持续升高,导致慢性应激状态下的海马可塑性受损及情绪调节障碍[5]。此外,HT还影响5-羟色胺(5-HT)、多巴胺(DA)与去甲肾上腺素(NE)等神经递质代谢途径,进一步破坏情绪稳态[6]。免疫炎症反应同样在两者共病中扮演关键角色。在以Grave病为代表的自身免疫性甲状腺疾病中,IL-6、TNF-α、IL-1β等促炎因子升高,可穿越血脑屏障诱发神经炎症,激活小胶质细胞及犬尿氨酸通路,抑制5-HT合成并增强神经毒性代谢物生成,从而加剧抑郁样行为[7,8]。慢性炎症与氧化应激的持续存在进一步损害线粒体功能与突触可塑性,形成神经-内分泌-免疫失衡的正反馈循环。尽管已有研究揭示了HT通过HPT/HPA轴失衡、神经递质异常及免疫炎症参与抑郁的潜在机制[9],但其具体发病路径尚未完全阐明。现有研究多局限于单一机制或局部环节,缺乏从整体神经-内分泌-免疫(NEI)交互网络出发的系统性分析[10]。因此,本文基于NEI轴的整合框架,系统阐释甲状腺激素过量如何通过多层次调控网络影响中枢神经功能、免疫炎症状态及情绪稳态,进而全面解析HT与抑郁共病的发病机制,并为未来精准干预提供理论依据。1 流行病学与临床特征
HT是一种由甲状腺激素过度分泌引起的系统性代谢紊乱,全球患病率约1.0%~1.5%,女性显著高于男性(4~10倍)[9]。常见病因包括Graves病、自主性甲状腺结节及甲状腺炎。HT与精神障碍密切相关,尤其为焦虑与抑郁[10]。HT患者抑郁发生率约40%~50%,Graves病患者可高达70%,表现为快感缺乏、睡眠障碍及认知减退[11,12]。结节性甲状腺肿患者抑郁发生率约31.9%,女性更易受累,长期抑郁亦可增加结节性甲状腺肿的风险[13]。甲状腺功能异常个体抑郁风险较正常人增加1.8~2.5倍,女性及中老年人尤为显著[14]。HT与抑郁关系呈双向:HT早期可出现情绪障碍,抑郁患者HPT轴功能异常比例升高,部分伴游离T3下降及促甲状腺激素(TSH)反馈敏感性减弱[15,16]。即便甲状腺功能恢复正常,20%~30%患者仍存在抑郁症状[17]。临床表现多为“焦虑–疲乏共存”混合型情感障碍,伴高代谢症状如失眠、体重下降及心悸[18]。神经影像学显示海马、前额叶及杏仁核灰质体积减小并伴代谢异常,前额叶-边缘系统功能连接减弱,特征与重度抑郁症高度一致[19,20]。病程动态显示,甲状腺激素急升时以焦虑、易激惹为主,长期高代谢则更易出现倦怠、冷漠及抑郁。因此,HT与抑郁共病具有高发生率及复杂双向机制,提示神经–内分泌–免疫耦合在病理中的核心作用,对早期识别、干预及精准治疗具有重要意义。2 HT与抑郁共病的潜在机制:神经-内分泌-免疫交互作用
HT与抑郁的共病机制复杂,涉及HPT轴、HPA轴、神经递质系统及免疫炎症网络的多重失衡。这些系统通过双向调控构成了一个高度动态的“神经-内分泌-免疫交互网络”,在情绪障碍的发生与维持中发挥关键作用[21,22]。2.1 HPT轴与中枢神经系统的反馈失衡
HPT轴异常被认为是HT与抑郁共病的基础环节。过量的甲状腺激素(T3、T4)可通过血脑屏障进入中枢神经系统,调节神经元兴奋性、突触可塑性及神经递质合成[23]。动物实验表明,T3可增强谷氨酸兴奋性传导并促进多巴胺能活动,而长期高水平T3暴露则导致海马神经元结构损伤和神经新生受抑[24]。这种双相作用解释了HT患者早期焦虑、后期抑郁的临床演变特征。此外,甲状腺激素通过作用于下丘脑垂体促甲状腺激素(TRH)神经元影响HPT轴负反馈调节。当长期高T3抑制TRH表达时, TSH分泌受到持续抑制,使轴内稳态重设[25]。这种失衡状态导致神经内分泌系统对外界应激的反应阈值改变,从而影响情绪稳态。2.2 HPA轴过度激活与情绪障碍
HPT轴异常常伴随HPA轴功能紊乱。HT患者血浆皮质醇水平升高,基础及应激状态下的HPA轴反应增强[26]。T3通过上调促肾上腺皮质激素释放激素(CRH)基因表达及增强肾上腺对促肾上腺皮质激素(ACTH)的敏感性,促进糖皮质激素过度分泌[27]。持续的高皮质醇水平会损伤海马神经元、抑制神经再生并促进抑郁行为样表现[28]。值得注意的是,HPT与HPA轴之间存在密切的交叉调控。皮质醇可下调甲状腺受体(TR)表达并抑制外周T4转化为T3,从而形成“激素交叉负反馈环”,进一步加剧神经-内分泌系统的不稳定性[29]。2.3 神经递质系统的紊乱
甲状腺激素直接影响单胺类神经递质系统(5-HT、DA、NE)的合成、释放与受体表达,是HT与抑郁共病的重要神经化学基础[30]。T3能上调5-HT转运体及受体表达,但在慢性高水平状态下,会抑制5-HT合成并削弱其突触信号传导[31]。此外,T3与DA系统的交互影响动机与奖赏反应,这解释了部分HT患者出现快感缺失与精神迟缓的现象[32]。值得注意的是,抗抑郁治疗中补充少量T3可增强选择性5-羟色胺再摄取抑制剂(SSRIs)疗效,提示HPT轴与单胺系统之间存在协同作用[33]。因此,甲状腺激素紊乱既可导致神经递质失衡,也可能调节抗抑郁反应的敏感性。2.4 免疫炎症通路与神经可塑性
甲状腺功能异常及自身免疫性甲状腺疾病常伴随系统性低度炎症反应。Graves病和HT患者血清IL-6、TNF-α和IL-1β水平显著升高,其炎症免疫谱与抑郁障碍高度重叠[34]。外周炎症信号可通过血脑屏障转运及神经-免疫通路进入中枢,诱导小胶质细胞和星形胶质细胞激活,形成持续性神经炎症微环境[35]。正电子发射断层成像影像学研究显示,基于转位蛋白18 kDa的示踪成像在海马、前扣带皮层和前额叶皮层等情绪调控关键脑区检测到显著增强的小胶质细胞活化信号[36]。MRI进一步证实,炎症负荷升高与海马体积缩小及前额叶灰质密度下降密切相关[37];fMRI研究表明,炎症状态可导致边缘系统-前额叶环路及默认模式网络功能连接异常,从而破坏情绪调控网络稳态[38]。
在突触层面,炎症因子通过激活胶质细胞改变谷氨酸-γ-氨基丁酸(GABA),GABA稳态并诱导异常突触修剪[39]。其中IL-1β可显著抑制BDNF表达和长时程增强,从而削弱神经可塑性并促进抑郁样表型形成[40]。PET-SV2A成像研究进一步发现,神经炎症水平升高与突触密度信号降低显著相关,提示炎症相关突触损伤是功能障碍的重要影像学基础[41]。
此外,在血脑屏障通透性增加的炎症背景下,促甲状腺激素受体抗体(TSHR-Ab)和甲状腺过氧化物酶抗体(TPO-Ab)可进入脑脊液并诱发局部免疫激活[42]。临床研究表明,TPO-Ab阳性患者抑郁症状明显加重,脑脊液炎症介质水平升高,并与前额叶-边缘系统功能连接异常密切相关[43],提示甲状腺自身免疫反应可能通过“外周炎症-中枢神经炎症-神经环路重塑”通路直接参与情绪障碍的发生机制。2.5 神经-内分泌-免疫网络的整合模型
HT与抑郁障碍的共病可被视为神经-内分泌-免疫网络耦联失衡的系统性结果。甲状腺激素异常通过HPT与HPA之间的双向调控放大应激反应,增强下丘脑CRH表达并持续激活HPA轴,导致皮质醇长期升高。过量糖皮质激素可抑制海马神经发生和突触可塑性,同时破坏5-HT、DA和NE等单胺类神经递质稳态,从而削弱情绪调控相关神经环路功能并促进抑郁表型形成[44]。
与此同时,HT相关慢性低度炎症进一步放大该神经内分泌失衡。外周促炎细胞因子(IL-6、TNF-α、IL-1β)可通过血脑屏障转运及脑血管内皮信号通路进入中枢,诱导小胶质细胞持续激活并形成神经炎症微环境,同时反向刺激下丘脑CRH神经元活性,构成“炎症-应激轴”正反馈回路。在血脑屏障通透性增加的背景下,甲状腺自身抗体(TPO-Ab、TSHR-Ab)进入脑脊液并触发局部免疫激活,进一步干扰神经元-胶质细胞稳态,加速突触修剪异常和神经环路重构。上述内分泌异常、免疫激活与神经可塑性损伤相互强化,最终形成“激素失衡-神经炎症放大-突触功能障碍-情绪调控网络破坏”的恶性循环,导致抑郁症状加重及认知功能受损[44](图1)。
图1 HT与抑郁共病的潜在机制:神经–内分泌–免疫交互作用Fig.1 Potential mechanisms underlying the comorbidity of hyperthyroidism and depression: neuro–endocrine–immune interactions.TRH:thyrotropin-releasing hormone; TSH:thyroid-stimulating hormone;T3:triiodothyronine;CRH:corticotropin releasing hormone;ACTH:adrenocorticotropic hormone;5-HT:5-hydroxytryptamine;DA:dopamine;NE:norepinephrine;IL-6:interleukin-6;TNF-α:tumor necrosis factor-alpha;IL-1β: interleukin-1 beta.3 靶向HPT轴的干预治疗策略
基于“神经-内分泌-免疫”交互模型,HT合并抑郁的发生发展涉及HPT轴反馈失衡、单胺类神经递质系统紊乱及慢性炎症持续激活等多层级异常。因此,干预策略应由单一内分泌替代模式向“激素稳态调控-免疫炎症阻断-神经网络功能修复”多靶点协同干预转变。近年来,围绕HPT轴及其下游神经-免疫通路的分层干预体系逐渐形成,并显示出改善情绪结局和认知功能的潜在优势。3.1 药物治疗:多靶点协同调控HPT轴及其下游通路
3.1.1 激素稳态调控药物 传统抗甲状腺药物(如甲巯咪唑、丙硫氧嘧啶)通过抑制甲状腺过氧化物酶活性有效降低甲状腺激素合成,是HT及Graves病的标准治疗方案[45]。然而,前瞻性队列研究显示,部分患者在甲状腺功能指标恢复正常后仍存在持续性抑郁症状,提示中枢HPT轴反馈调控及脑内局部T3生物利用度异常仍未完全恢复[46]。随机对照试验表明,在标准抗甲状腺治疗基础上,小剂量T3或T4辅助治疗可增强抗抑郁药疗效,其作用机制可能与增强5-HT和NE能传递、促进BDNF表达及改善前额叶-边缘系统功能连接相关[47]。
3.1.2 抗炎与免疫调节药物 HPT轴异常激活可诱导IL-6、TNF-α等促炎因子持续释放,促进中枢神经炎症形成。动物实验表明,IL-6R拮抗剂和TNF-α中和抗体可显著改善甲状腺激素过量相关的抑郁样行为,并抑制海马小胶质细胞激活[48]。针对HT相关自身免疫异常,调节TPO-Ab及TRAb介导的免疫反应被认为是潜在治疗方向。基础研究显示,通过恢复T细胞亚群平衡和抑制异常B细胞活化可降低甲状腺自身免疫炎症负荷并同步改善中枢炎症状态[49]。临床探索性试验显示,非甾体抗炎药联合抗甲状腺治疗在部分患者中可增强抗抑郁反应,但其长期安全性与作用机制仍需进一步验证。
3.1.3 抗氧化和神经保护药物 甲状腺激素过量状态下,神经元代谢应激及线粒体损伤显著增加,导致氧化应激累积与突触功能障碍。抗氧化剂(如N-乙酰半胱氨酸、辅酶Q10、α-硫辛酸)可减少活性氧产生、保护线粒体功能,并上调BDNF,改善认知及情绪功能[50]。植物来源的神经保护分子(如白藜芦醇、多酚类)在实验研究中亦显示缓解甲状腺激素诱导的神经炎症与氧化损伤的潜力[51],为辅助干预提供新方向。3.2 心理与物理神经调节治疗:重建中枢-外周稳态网络
心理干预在神经-内分泌-免疫网络调控中发挥关键枢纽作用。认知行为疗法(cognitive behav‐ioral therapy,CBT)和正念减压疗法(mindfulnessbased stress reduction,MBCT)不仅可显著改善抑郁与焦虑症状,还可通过降低HPA轴反应性、减少皮质醇分泌及调节自主神经张力,间接促进HPT轴反馈稳态恢复[52]。神经影像学随访研究进一步显示,心理干预联合药物治疗可增强前额叶-杏仁核功能连接,改善默认模式网络异常活动,并与症状缓解程度呈显著相关[53]。在物理神经调控方面,经颅磁刺激(TMS)和经颅直流电刺激(tDCS)等非侵入性脑刺激技术已被证实可调节前额叶皮层兴奋性和情绪相关神经环路活动。初步临床研究显示,TMS联合内分泌治疗可进一步改善HT共病抑郁患者的情绪症状和认知功能,为难治性病例提供辅助治疗选择[54]。3.3 综合干预与个体化治疗:构建精准医学模式
鉴于HT合并抑郁在临床表现、发病机制及治疗反应方面具有显著异质性,单一治疗策略往往难以满足不同患者的临床需求。近年来,基于精准医学理念的分层治疗模式逐渐兴起,通过整合甲状腺激素谱、炎症因子、自身抗体等多组学标志物,并结合神经影像学特征及心理行为表型,可对患者进行风险分层和个体化干预[55]。在治疗策略上,抗甲状腺治疗仍是基础措施,但单纯纠正甲状腺功能异常往往难以完全缓解抑郁症状。临床研究显示,在此基础上联合抗炎及抗氧化神经保护策略,并辅以心理-神经调节干预(如认知行为治疗及必要时抗抑郁药物),可在部分患者中产生协同效应,显著改善情绪症状、认知功能及生活质量[56]。将来通过多维生物标志物与临床表型的动态整合,构建预测治疗反应的精准干预模式,有望进一步提升 HT 合并抑郁的长期管理效果。
因此,靶向HPT轴的干预应强调多通路协同与系统性平衡。未来研究可进一步整合药物治疗、心理与物理治疗、综合干预与个体化治疗等策略,实现“内分泌-神经-免疫”三维共治,为HT合并抑郁的精准治疗提供更加可靠的循证医学理论基础与临床依据(表1)。
表1 靶向HPT轴的干预治疗策略Tab.1 Therapeutic strategies targeting the HPT axis
4 结论与展望
甲状腺功能亢进症合并抑郁并非偶发共存,而是由甲状腺激素过量引发的NEI网络系统性失衡所致。HPT轴持续亢进可通过异常耦合HPA轴,调节中枢应激反应阈值并扰乱神经递质稳态;同时,甲状腺激素相关的免疫炎症与氧化应激反应可损伤神经可塑性与突触功能,导致情绪障碍呈现出与激素状态高度相关、且对常规抗抑郁治疗反应不稳定的临床特征。这一独特病理基础表明,甲亢相关抑郁应区别于原发性抑郁症,需采用针对性的研究范式与干预策略。基于此,未来研究可聚焦以下方向:(1)NEI网络机制解析 系统阐明HPT-HPA轴异常耦合、神经炎症及突触功能改变如何共同塑造抑郁表型,并明确关键调控节点。尚不清楚各通路的动态交互机制,亟需多组学、神经影像及动物模型整合研究。(2)临床表型及生物标志物分层 明确甲亢相关抑郁与原发性抑郁在症状谱、神经影像、炎症因子及激素动态上的差异,筛选可用于早期识别和风险分层的生物标志物组合,为个体化干预提供依据。(3)多通路联合干预策略 在激素调控、免疫抑制、神经保护及心理干预基础上,设计多靶点协同治疗方案,并评估其对神经环路可塑性、情绪调控及认知功能的长期影响。(4)个体化精准管理模式 构建动态监测激素、情绪及神经功能指标的综合管理平台,实现患者分层评估、早期干预及个体化治疗,改善长期心理结局与生活质量。总之,通过机制认知与临床管理的双向整合,未来有望建立区别于传统抑郁症的诊疗框架,为改善甲亢患者长期心理结局和整体生活质量提供理论与实践依据。Declaration of interests: The authors declare no competing interests.
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Progress in neuro-endocrine-immune mechanisms and interventions for the comorbidity of hyperthyroidism and depression
YE Huicheng1,2, XUAN Wenting1,3
1. The First School of Clinical Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang 524023, China2. Department of General Medicine, The Tenth Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University (Dongguan People’s Hospital),Dongguan 523059,China3. Department of Endocrinology, The Tenth Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University (Dongguan People’s Hospital),Dongguan 523059, China
Abstract: Hyperthyroidism (HT), characterized by excessive thyroid hormone secretion, can lead to multi-system dysfunction and is frequently accompanied by anxiety and depressive symptoms. The underlying pathophysiology is closely associated with dysregulation of the neuro-endocrine-immune (NEI) network. Excess thyroid hormones disrupt the balance of the hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid (HPT) and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axes, impair central stress responses and neurotransmitter homeostasis, and concurrently trigger immune-inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways, resulting in compromised neuronal plasticity and synaptic function. This establishes a self-reinforcing feedback loop of NEI network imbalance. This review summarizes the epidemiological characteristics and NEI regulatory mechanisms of HT -associated depression and discusses multi-level interventions centered on endocrine homeostasis, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory strategies, and comprehensive therapy, providing theoretical and practical guidance for the precision assessment and individualized management of depression in HT patients.
Keywords: hyperthyroidism; depression; neuro-endocrine-immune mechanisms; hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid axis; intervention strategies
DOI:10.20227/j.cnki.2096-3610.2026.03.004
【作者简介】贾晓周,毕业于河北医科大学,中西医结合、临床医学双学历,后于辽宁中医药大学附属医院进修,曾就职于辽宁航空航天附属医院,曾受聘于北京至道中医研究院任副院长,国家区域慢性呼吸系统病防治中心会诊专家、《皇帝内经》东方哲学体系研究员、国家生活方式医学领域专家顾问,传统武式太极拳精英传承人,世界医疗健康管理协会会员,长年从事创新性医药领域及临床诊疗技术应用学术研究工作。
目前主要从事呼吸领域相关疾病临床诊疗进展、儿童生长发育及慢性骨病中西医联合诊疗领域科研工作,国内外先进特色诊疗技术挖掘及整理。曾参加中国咳嗽诊疗指南万里行巡讲,作为“气道炎症专场”特邀专家,2018年发起“中国基层咳嗽诊疗指南万里行”活动,2020年发起“中国基层儿童咳喘病全国巡讲”活动,2021年发起“中国基层慢病规范化诊治”全国巡讲活动,2023年新冠病毒感染及其并发症的临床规范化诊治方案更新,推进基层《新冠感染咳嗽专科门诊》、《呼吸慢病专科门诊》等专科门诊机构的建立,2025年进行关于儿童生长发育及慢性骨病中西医临床最新诊疗模式进展探究,深入研究“疏木六君子汤”“清肺汤等”在呼吸及相关肿瘤领域的应用进展,进一步提升最新生物制剂相关特效雾化治疗方案相关难治性、难愈性呼吸系统疾病治疗,推进基层“气道炎症计”呼出气一氧化氮精准化气道炎症水平测定及指导相关呼吸系统疾病中西医结合治疗方案。2026年致力于临床呼吸、消化及心脑血管常见慢病中西医结合MDT门诊建设工作,深入推进科研门诊与常规诊疗相结合的临床发展方向。立足于目前临床最新医学进展领域:阶梯式治疗方案、呼吸免疫治疗方案、上下气道同治治疗方案、精准化诊治治疗方案、常见病快速评估等及针对中西医结合临床一线指南推荐用药等做全面总结研究,以帮助更多的同仁完成科学、精准、规范的诊治,开展更多医疗领域学术交流会议,推进常见多发病的预防、科学的健康管理新理念。