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Plasma proteomics reveals markers of metabolic stress in HIV infected children with severe acute malnutrition.
Gonzales, GB, Njunge, JM, Gichuki, BM, Wen, B, Potani, I, Voskuijl, W, Bandsma, RHJ, Berkley, JA
Scientific reports. 2020;(1):11235
Abstract
HIV infection affects up to 30% of children presenting with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in Africa and is associated with increased mortality. Children with SAM are treated similarly regardless of HIV status, although mechanisms of nutritional recovery in HIV and/or SAM are not well understood. We performed a secondary analysis of a clinical trial and plasma proteomics data among children with complicated SAM in Kenya and Malawi. Compared to children with SAM without HIV (n = 113), HIV-infected children (n = 54) had evidence (false discovery rate (FDR) corrected p < 0.05) of metabolic stress, including enriched pathways related to inflammation and lipid metabolism. Moreover, we observed reduced plasma levels of zinc-α-2-glycoprotein, butyrylcholinesterase, and increased levels of complement C2 resembling findings in metabolic syndrome, diabetes and other non-communicable diseases. HIV was also associated (FDR corrected p < 0.05) with higher plasma levels of inflammatory chemokines. Considering evidence of biomarkers of metabolic stress, it is of potential concern that our current treatment strategy for SAM regardless of HIV status involves a high-fat therapeutic diet. The results of this study suggest a need for clinical trials of therapeutic foods that meet the specific metabolic needs of children with HIV and SAM.
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Smokeless tobacco consumption impedes metabolic, cellular, apoptotic and systemic stress pattern: A study on Government employees in Kolkata, India.
Biswas, S, Manna, K, Das, U, Khan, A, Pradhan, A, Sengupta, A, Bose, S, Ghosh, S, Dey, S
Scientific reports. 2015;:18284
Abstract
Smokeless tobacco (SLT) remains a threat amongst a large population across the globe and particularly in India. The oral use of tobacco has been implicated to cause physiological stress leading to extreme toxicological challenge. The study included 47 SLT-users and 44 non-users providing a spectrum of pathophysiological, clinico-biochemical, antioxidant parameters, cell cycle progression study of PBMC and morphological changes of red blood cells (RBC). The expressions of p53, p21, Bax, Bcl-2, IL-6, TNF- α, Cox-2, iNOS were analyzed from thirteen representative SLT-users and twelve non-users. Difference in CRP, random glucose, serum cholesterol, TG, HLDL-C, LDL-C, VLDL-C, neutrophil count, monocyte count, ESR, SOD (PBMC) and TBARS (RBC membrane) were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05) between the studied groups. The current study confers crucial insight into SLT mediated effects on systemic toxicity and stress. This has challenged the metabolic condition leading to a rise in the inflammatory status, increased apoptosis and RBC membrane damage. The above findings were substantiated with metabolic, clinical and biochemical parameters. This is possibly the first ever in-depth report and remains an invaluable document on the fatal effects of SLT.
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A proteomic study of plasma protein changes under extreme physical stress.
Balfoussia, E, Skenderi, K, Tsironi, M, Anagnostopoulos, AK, Parthimos, N, Vougas, K, Papassotiriou, I, Tsangaris, GT, Chrousos, GP
Journal of proteomics. 2014;:1-14
Abstract
UNLABELLED The Spartathlon race (brisk walking a distance of 246km in less than 36h) was employed as a model of severe physical stress to investigate proteomic alterations in the plasma of athletes at the start (Athens) and finish (Sparta) of the race, as well as 48h after the race (Post). The athletes' plasma was analyzed by 2D gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and the differentially expressed proteins were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS). The ProteoSeek™ Albumin/IgG removal kit and the ProteoMiner™ enrichment kit were utilized to detect medium- and low-abundance proteins, whose expression may be masked due to high-abundance proteins. Our results were confirmed by Western blot and biochemical analyses. Overall fifty-two proteins were differentially expressed between the starting point, the finishing line and two days after the end of the race. Of these, thirty proteins were involved in inflammation, while the rest concerned anti-oxidation, anti-coagulation and iron and vitamin D transport. These results indicate that prolonged physical stress affects circulating stress-related proteins, which might be employed as biomarkers of stress-related diseases. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE The current study employed the Spartathlon, as a model of prolonged endurance exercise, to identify and isolate putative biomarkers of inflammation under extreme physical stress conditions. These protein quantitative variations may pave the way to exploration and understanding of stress-related physiological processes, the stress response itself and diseases whose onset appears to be linked to stress.
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Randomized comparison of surgical stress and the nutritional status between laparoscopy-assisted and open distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer.
Aoyama, T, Yoshikawa, T, Hayashi, T, Hasegawa, S, Tsuchida, K, Yamada, T, Cho, H, Ogata, T, Fujikawa, H, Yukawa, N, et al
Annals of surgical oncology. 2014;(6):1983-90
Abstract
BACKGROUND Laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) for gastric cancer may prevent the development of an impaired nutritional status due to reduced surgical stress compared with open distal gastrectomy (ODG). METHODS This study was performed as an exploratory analysis of a phase III trial comparing LADG and ODG for stage I gastric cancer during the period between May and December of 2011. All patients received the same perioperative care via fast-track surgery. The level of surgical stress was evaluated based on the white blood cell count and the interleukin-6 (IL-6) level. The nutritional status was measured according to the total body weight, amount of lean body mass, lymphocyte count, and prealbumin level. RESULTS Twenty-six patients were randomized to receive ODG (13 patients) or LADG (13 patients). The baseline characteristics and surgical outcomes were similar between the two groups. The median IL-6 level increased from 0.8 to 36.3 pg/dl in the ODG group and from 1.5 to 53.3 pg/dl in the LADG group. The median amount of lean body mass decreased from 48.3 to 46.8 kg in the ODG group and from 46.6 to 46.0 kg in the LADG group. There are no significant differences between two groups. CONCLUSIONS The level of surgical stress and the nutritional status were found to be similar between the ODG and LADG groups in a randomized comparison using the same perioperative care of fast-track surgery.
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A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a polyherbal formulation in geriatric age group: a phase IV clinical report.
Banerjee, P, Maity, S, Das, T, Mazumder, S
Journal of ethnopharmacology. 2011;(2):429-33
Abstract
AIM OF THE STUDY We sought to determine the efficacy as antioxidant and safety profile of the polyherbal formulation in geriatric patients of eastern India. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was double-blind, randomized including placebo controlled and was approved by the ethical committee of SSKM hospital. Geriatric patients attending the OPD (outpatient department) of SSKM hospital formed the study group. The patients were randomized to receive either the polyherbal formulation or the identical-looking placebo at a dose of 2 tablets twice daily for a period of 6 months. Follow-up of patient status was done monthly. The clinical parameters were assessed before and after 6 months of medication or placebo intake. RESULTS The results showed that significant rejuvenation of the anti-oxidant property which is determined by the enzymatic and non enzymatic anti oxidants, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, reduced glutathione and malondialdehyde in the geriatric patients were seen in patients treated with Geriforte tablets as compared to patients treated with placebo and control group. There were no significant adverse effects experienced by cases in any group. CONCLUSION Polyherbal formulation is effective in rejuvenating geriatric age group compared to the placebo. This formulation is safe and compliance to the treatment was good. In ancient Ayurveda the constituents of polyherbal formulation were prescribed for different diseases including cardiological, neurological, sepsis, etc.
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Marginal effects of a large caffeine dose on heat balance during exercise-heat stress.
Ely, BR, Ely, MR, Cheuvront, SN
International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism. 2011;(1):65-70
Abstract
UNLABELLED The use of caffeine supplements in athletic and military populations has increased in recent years. Excessive caffeine consumption in conjunction with exercise in a hot environment may predispose individuals to heat illness. PURPOSE To examine heat balance induced by a large dose of caffeine during exercise in a hot environment. METHODS Ten men, not heat acclimated and not habitual caffeine users, consumed either caffeine (CAF; 9 mg/kg) or placebo (PLA) before performing cycle-ergometer exercise for 30 min at 50% VO2peak in a 40 °C, 25% relative humidity environment while body temperature (core and skin) and ratings of thermal comfort (TC) were monitored. Heat-exchange variables were calculated using partitional calorimetry and thermometry. RESULTS Mean body temperature (Tb) was higher (p < .05) with CAF (37.18 ± 0.15 °C) than with PLA (36.93 ± 0.15 °C) at the start of exercise. Heat production was slightly higher (~8 W, p < .05) with CAF. There were no differences in heat storage, dry heat gains, TC, or Tb during exercise. CONCLUSIONS A caffeine dose of 9 mg/kg does not appreciably alter heat balance during work in a hot environment. The small increase in Tb observed with CAF was undetected by the participants and is unlikely to increase physiological strain sufficiently to affect endurance performance or risk of heat illness.
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Craving and physiological reactivity to trauma and alcohol cues in posttraumatic stress disorder and alcohol dependence.
Coffey, SF, Schumacher, JA, Stasiewicz, PR, Henslee, AM, Baillie, LE, Landy, N
Experimental and clinical psychopharmacology. 2010;(4):340-9
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Abstract
The high comorbidity of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol dependence (AD) has been firmly established. Although laboratory studies have examined self-reported craving in response to trauma and alcohol cues, no studies have reported on alcohol-related physiological responding in response to trauma cues in PTSD-AD individuals. Using a cue reactivity paradigm, this study examined the impact of personalized trauma-image cues and in vivo alcohol cues on alcohol-related responding (e.g., salivation, craving) in individuals with PTSD and AD (n = 40). Participants displayed reactivity to both trauma and alcohol cues when compared to neutral cues, including increased self-reported craving and distress, as well as greater salivation. These findings suggest that through repeated pairings of trauma memories and alcohol consumption, salivation may become classically conditioned to trauma cues. Moreover, the fact that the trauma-alcohol cue combination elicited greater alcohol craving, salivary responding, distress, and arousal than either the trauma-neutral or neutral-alcohol cue combinations suggests that effects of the trauma and alcohol cues were additive in nature. Evidence that AD individuals with PTSD report increased alcohol craving and display greater salivation in response to trauma memories, supplements prior research indicating that PTSD-related negative emotion and trauma-related alcohol craving may play an important role in the maintenance of AD.
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Mental stress impairs endothelial vasodilatory function by a beta-adrenergic mechanism.
Eriksson, M, Johansson, K, Sarabi, M, Lind, L
Endothelium : journal of endothelial cell research. 2007;(3):151-6
Abstract
Mental stress has been shown to impair endothelium-dependent vasodilation (EDV) in the human forearm. The aim of this study was to investigate if this response could be blunted by local infusions of beta-blockade (propranolol), alpha-blockade (phentolamine), or neurogenic blockade. Thirty-one young healthy volunteers underwent forearm blood flow (FBF) measurements, using venous occlusion plethysmography, during local intra-arterial infusions of metacholine (MCh; inducing EDV) and sodium nitroprussid (SNP; inducing endothelial-independent vasodilation [EIDV]), respectively. These measurements were repeated during a 5-min mental arithmetic stress test without (n = 8) or with concomitant local infusion of propranolol (n = 7) or phentolamine (n = 8) in the forearm or during axillary plexus blockade (n = 8). An index of endothelial vasodilatory function (EFI) was calculated as the EDV to EIDV ratio. Mental stress impaired EDV significantly (p < .05), and as a result, EFI was significantly reduced (p = .02). This effect on EFI could be blocked by propranolol and neurogenic blockade but not by phentolamine (p < .05). Thus, impairment of endothelial vasodilatory function induced by mental stress could be blocked by beta-adrenergic, but not alpha-adrenergic, receptor blockade.
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Oral L-arginine improves hemodynamic responses to stress and reduces plasma homocysteine in hypercholesterolemic men.
West, SG, Likos-Krick, A, Brown, P, Mariotti, F
The Journal of nutrition. 2005;(2):212-7
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Abstract
When administered intravenously, L-arginine substantially reduces blood pressure (BP) and peripheral vascular resistance in healthy adults and in patients with vascular disease. Oral L-arginine has been shown to improve endothelial function; however, it is not clear whether oral administration has significant effects on systemic hemodynamics. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study we tested whether oral L-arginine (12 g/d for 3 wk) affected hemodynamics, glucose, insulin, or C-reactive protein in 16 middle-age men with hypercholesterolemia. After each treatment, hemodynamic variables were measured at rest and during 2 standardized stressor tasks (a simulated public-speaking task and the cold pressor). Regardless of treatment, the stressor tasks increased BP and heart rate (P < or = 0.02). Relative to placebo, L-arginine changed cardiac output (-0.4 L/m), diastolic BP (-1.9 mm Hg), pre-ejection period (+3.4 ms), and plasma homocysteine (-2.0 micromol/L) (P < or = 0.03). The change in plasma L-arginine was inversely correlated with the change in plasma homocysteine (r = -0.57, P = 0.03). Contrary to the results of previous studies of L-arginine administered intravenously, oral administration did not affect total peripheral resistance or plasma insulin. Oral L-arginine also did not affect plasma glucose, C-reactive protein, or lipids. This pattern of findings is consistent with the hypothesis that oral L-arginine reduces BP. This study is the first to describe a hemodynamic mechanism for the hypotensive effect of oral L-arginine and the first to show substantial reductions in homocysteine with oral administration.
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Effect of acute tryptophan depletion on the response to controllable and uncontrollable noise stress.
Richell, RA, Deakin, JF, Anderson, IM
Biological psychiatry. 2005;(3):295-300
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous research provides evidence linking serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) with stress and depression. The controllable/uncontrollable (C/UC) stress paradigm aims to generate a state/condition, namely a feeling of lack of control in the context of a stressor, which might be an important factor in precipitating a negative mood state. Acute tryptophan depletion (ATD) is a technique that produces a decrease in central 5-HT levels in vivo. This study investigated the role of 5-HT in the behavioral response to a C/UC stress paradigm with ATD. METHODS Healthy adult volunteers were randomly assigned to receive either a TRP-supplemented (n = 15) or TRP-deficient (n = 13) amino acid drink. At 5 hours postdrink, volunteers were subjected to sessions of controllable and uncontrollable noise stress (100-dB white noise). Subjective ratings of mood were obtained before and after the interventions. RESULTS Participants who received the tryptophan-depleting drink had greater self-report ratings of negative mood on visual analogue scales and the Profile of Mood States after the uncontrollable stress than did participants who received the balanced drink. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that 5-HT might play a role in providing resilience to uncontrollable stress. Additional studies with specific 5-HT pharmacologic probes will further clarify the results.