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1.
Higher DHEAS Levels Associated with Long-Term Practicing of Tai Chi.
Lai, HM, Liu, MSY, Lin, TJ, Tsai, YL, Chien, EJ
The Chinese journal of physiology. 2017;(2):124-130
Abstract
Tai Chi has many benefits for middle-aged/older individuals including improvements to muscle strength and various body lipid components. DHEAS and testosterone have anti-obesity/anti-aging characteristics and also improve libido, vitality and immunity levels. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the differences between middle-aged Tai Chi practitioners (n = 17) and sedentary individuals (n = 17) in terms of leg strength, blood levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, as well as DHEAS, testosterone and cortisol. Unpaired t-tests were used to identify significant differences between the two groups. There were no significant differences in body composition, leg strength, blood lipid components and testosterone. However, the Tai Chi practitioners had higher levels of DHEAS (P < 0.01) and lower levels of cortisol (P < 0.05). Thus, Tai Chi practitioners have a higher ratio of DHEAS to cortisol, which might have potential benefits in terms of improving an individual’s health-related quality of life during the aging.
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Salivary alpha-amylase, secretory IgA and free cortisol as neurobiological components of the stress response in the acute phase of anorexia nervosa.
Paszynska, E, Dmitrzak-Weglarz, M, Tyszkiewicz-Nwafor, M, Slopien, A
The world journal of biological psychiatry : the official journal of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry. 2016;(4):266-73
Abstract
Objectives One novel hypothesis of the pathogenesis of anorexia nervosa (AN) is the possible role of mental stress in hyperactivity of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Two components of stress response - salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) and free cortisol - have been proposed. They can be determined in saliva, which closely reflects their concentrations in plasma. The purpose of this study was to measure salivary free cortisol, sAA and their correlation to secretory IgA (sIgA) of patients with AN in comparison to the average population. Methods A controlled clinical trial was designed for a matched group of 47 AN patients and 54 healthy individuals. After clinical examination, unstimulated salivary samples were taken during the acute stage of AN (BMI < 15 kg/m(2)) in the first week of hospitalisation. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) suitable for measuring sAA, sIgA and free cortisol were used. Results Anorexic patients exhibited disturbances in sAA secretion, and significantly increased cortisol and sIgA levels with a distinct correlation between these two parameters. Conclusions The behaviour of cortisol, sAA and sIgA levels can be assessed as an effect of stress reaction among AN patients with hyperactivity of the HPA axis and ANS dysregulation. The effect of stress response can be assessed reliably in saliva.
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Normal cortisol response to cold pressor test, but lower free thyroxine, after recovery from undernutrition.
Martins, VJ, Neves, AP, Garcia, MC, Spadari, RC, Clemente, AP, de Albuquerque, MP, Hoffman, DJ, Sawaya, AL
The British journal of nutrition. 2016;(1):14-23
Abstract
Undernutrition is a stressor with long-term consequences, and the effect of nutritional recovery on cortisol and thyroid hormone status is unknown. To investigate basal thyroid hormones and the cortisol response to a cold pressor test in children recovered from undernutrition, a cross-sectional study was undertaken on children (6-16 years) separated into four groups: control (n 41), stunted (n 31), underweight (n 27) and recovered (n 31). Salivary cortisol was collected over the course of 10 h: upon awakening, before and after an unpleasant and a pleasant stimulus. Cortisol upon awakening was highest in the stunted and lowest in the underweight groups: control=5·05 (95% CI 3·71, 6·89) nmol/l, stunted=6·62 (95% CI 3·97, 11·02) nmol/l, underweight=2·51 (95% CI 1·75, 3·63) nmol/l and recovered=3·46 (95% CI 2·46, 4·90) nmol/l (P=0·005). Girls had higher cortisol concentrations upon awakening compared with boys (P=0·021). The undernourished groups showed an elevated cortisol response both to the unpleasant stimulus and at the last measurement (16.00 hours) compared with that of the recovered group: AUC, control=2·07 (95% CI 1·69, 2·45) nmol/l×30 min, stunted=2·48 (95% CI 1·91, 3·06) nmol/l×30 min, underweight=2·52 (95% CI 2·07, 2·97) nmol/l×30 min, recovered=1·68 (95% CI 1·26, 2·11) nmol/l×30 min (P=0·042); and control=2·03 (95% CI 1·75, 2·39) nmol/l×30 min, stunted=2·51 (95% CI 1·97, 3·19) nmol/l×30 min, underweight=2·61 (95% CI 2·16, 3·16) nmol/l×30 min, recovered=1·70 (95% CI 1·42, 2·03) nmol/l×30 min (P=0·009). Lower free thyroxine (T4) was found in the recovered and stunted groups: control=1·28 (95% CI 1·18, 1·39) pmol/l, stunted=0·98 (95% CI 0·87, 1·10) pmol/l, underweight=1·10 (95% CI 1·01, 1·21) pmol/l and recovered=0·90 (95% CI 0·83, 0·99) pmol/l (P<0·001). Multivariate analysis showed a lower cortisol concentration along 10 h (06.00-16.00 hours) in the recovered compared with the other groups (P=0·017), and similar concentrations between the recovered and control group. In conclusion, the children with recovery in weight and height had a cortisol stress response similar to control but a lower basal free T4. Longitudinal studies are warranted to determine the extent of these endocrine changes after recovery of undernutrition and in adulthood.
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Accuracy of immunoassay and mass spectrometry urinary free cortisol in the diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome.
Aranda, G, Careaga, M, Hanzu, FA, Patrascioiu, I, Ríos, P, Mora, M, Morales-Romero, B, Jiménez, W, Halperin, I, Casals, G
Pituitary. 2016;(5):496-502
Abstract
PURPOSE Urinary free cortisol (UFC) determination by highly specific methods as mass spectrometry instead of commercially available antibody-based immunoassays is increasingly recommended. However, clinical comparisons of both analytical approaches in the screening of Cushing's syndrome (CS) are not available. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of mass spectrometry versus immunoassay measurements of 24 h-UFC in the screening of CS. METHODS Cross-sectional study of 33 histologically confirmed CS patients: 25 Cushing's disease, 5 adrenal CS and 3 ectopic CS; 92 non-CS patients; and 35 healthy controls. UFC by immunoassay (UFCxIA) and mass spectrometry (UFCxMS), urinary free cortisone (UFCo) and UFC:UFCo ratio were measured, together with creatinine-corrected values. Sensitivity, specificity, AUC and Landis and Koch concordance index were determined. RESULTS AUC for UFCxIA and UFCxMS were 0.77 (CI 0.68-0.87) and 0.77 (CI 0.67-0.87) respectively, with a kappa coefficient 0.60 and strong Landis and Koch concordance index. The best calculated cutoff values were 359 nmol/24 h for UFCxIA (78 % sensitivity, 62 % specificity) and 258.1 nmol/24 h for UCFxMS (53 % sensitivity, 86 % specificity). The upper limit of UFCxIA and UCFxMS reference ranges were 344.7 and 169.5 nmol/24 h respectively. Sensitivity and specificity for CS diagnosis at these cutpoints were 84 and 56 % for UFCxIA and 81 and 54 % for UFCxMS. CONCLUSIONS According to our data, both methods present a very similar diagnostic value. However, results suggest that lower cutoff points for mass spectrometry may be necessary in order to improve clinical sensitivity.
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Plasma cortisol levels in response to a cold pressor test did not predict appetite or ad libitum test meal intake in obese women.
Geliebter, A, Gibson, CD, Hernandez, DB, Atalayer, D, Kwon, A, Lee, MI, Mehta, N, Phair, D, Gluck, ME
Appetite. 2012;(3):956-9
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Abstract
Heightened cortisol response to stress due to hyperactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis may stimulate appetite and food intake. In this study, we assessed cortisol responsivity to a cold pressor test (CPT) as well as appetite ratings and subsequent test meal intake (TMI) in obese women. Following an overnight fast on two counterbalanced days, 20 obese women immersed their non-dominant hand for 2min in ice water (CPT) or warm water (WW) as a control. Plasma cortisol (ng/ml), heart rate, and blood pressure, as well as ratings of stress, pain, and appetite, were serially acquired. An ad libitum liquid meal was offered at 45min and intake measured covertly. Fasting cortisol was higher at 15min (mean peak cortisol) following the CPT compared to WW. Higher stress was reported at 2 and 15min for the CPT compared to WW. Pain, an indirect marker of the acute stress, systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased following the CPT at 2min compared to WW. Hunger decreased after the CPT at 2 and 15min, and desire to eat ratings were lower following CPT compared to WW. Subjects did not have greater test meal intake (TMI) following CPT compared to WW. There was also no significant relationship between cortisol levels following stress and TMI, indicating that cortisol did not predict subsequent intake in obese women.
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Psychosocial stressor effects on cortisol and ghrelin in emotional and non-emotional eaters: influence of anger and shame.
Raspopow, K, Abizaid, A, Matheson, K, Anisman, H
Hormones and behavior. 2010;(4):677-84
Abstract
Food consumption in stressful situations vary as a function of individual difference factors (e.g., emotional vs. non-emotional eating), and may be related to hormonal responses elicited by the stressful event. These hormonal responses may be tied to specific emotions elicited by the stressful event. The present investigation examined the emotional and hormonal (cortisol, ghrelin) responses of high and low emotional eaters following a laboratory stressor (Trier Social Stress Test; TSST). Women (n=48) either high or low in emotional eating status were tested in a TSST or served as controls during which blood samples were taken for analysis of cortisol and ghrelin, both of which have been implicated in eating and in response to stressors. The TSST promoted elevated cortisol levels, being somewhat more pronounced in emotional than in non-emotional eaters. Both shame and anger were provoked by the TSST, and although both these emotions were correlated with cortisol levels, only anger significantly mediated the relationship between the stressor and cortisol levels. As well, baseline ghrelin levels in low emotional eaters exceeded that of high emotional eaters, and increased moderately in response to the stressor situation, irrespective of emotional eating status. Interestingly, when provided with food, ghrelin levels declined in the non-emotional eaters, but not in emotional eaters. The possibility is offered that the lack of a decline of ghrelin in emotional eaters may sustain eating in these individuals.
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A controlled study of tryptophan and cortisol in violent offenders.
Soderstrom, H, Blennow, K, Forsman, A, Liesivuori, J, Pennanen, S, Tiihonen, J
Journal of neural transmission (Vienna, Austria : 1996). 2004;(12):1605-10
Abstract
Changes in the metabolism of tryptophan, other amino acids, and steroid hormones have been implicated in aggression. We compared tryptophan, competing long amino acids (CAAs), and cortisol in serum (S) and CSF in 22 violent offenders and 15 healthy controls. Offenders had significantly increased S-L-tryptophan, S-free tryptophan, S-CAAs, S-cortisol and CSF-cortisol, indicating abnormal neurophysiological processes. Larger studies on the interplay between violence, serotonin precursors, and stress hormones need to integrate personality traits, life situations, and physiological adaptation.
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Effects of trauma exposure on the cortisol response to dexamethasone administration in PTSD and major depressive disorder.
Yehuda, R, Halligan, SL, Golier, JA, Grossman, R, Bierer, LM
Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2004;(3):389-404
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate cortisol suppression following 0.5 mg of dexamethasone (DEX) in trauma survivors (N=52) with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), both, or neither disorder, and in subjects never exposed to trauma (N=10), in order to examine interactions between diagnosis and trauma history on cortisol negative feedback inhibition. METHOD Lifetime trauma exposure and psychiatric diagnoses were assessed and blood samples were obtained at 8:00 a.m. for the determination of baseline cortisol. Participants ingested 0.5 mg of DEX at 11:00 p.m. and blood samples for determination of cortisol and DEX were obtained at 8:00 a.m. the following day. RESULTS PTSD was associated with enhanced cortisol suppression in response to DEX. Among trauma survivors, the presence of a traumatic event prior to the "focal" trauma had a substantial impact on cortisol suppression in subjects with MDD. Such subjects were more likely to show cortisol alterations similar to those associated with PTSD, whereas subjects with MDD with no prior trauma were more likely to show alterations in the opposite direction, i.e. relative non-suppression. CONCLUSIONS Cortisol hypersuppression in PTSD appears not to be dependent on the presence of traumatic events prior to the focal trauma. However, prior trauma exposure may affect cortisol suppression in MDD. This finding may have implications for understanding why only some depressed patients show non-suppression on the DST.
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Longitudinal changes in pituitary-adrenal hormones in South African women with burnout.
Moch, SL, Panz, VR, Joffe, BI, Havlik, I, Moch, JD
Endocrine. 2003;(3):267-72
Abstract
The authors' goal was to document baseline pituitary-adrenal hormonal and related metabolic variables in 16 female patients with burnout. Then, following stress management intervention, to compare the changes with an equal number of untreated control subjects. At monthly intervals for 4 mo, 24-h urine samples were obtained for determination of free cortisol excretion. In addition, fasting blood samples were analyzed for levels of cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), ACTH, aldosterone, and catecholamines. Other biochemical measurements included growth hormone, prolactin, insulin, glucose, and lipid components. The Maslach Burnout Inventory, General Health Questionnaire- 28, and Zung depression rating scale were completed on each consecutive visit. The most striking finding was the reduction of urine free-cortisol excretion in the patients compared with controls. Initial urinary free cortisol was significantly lower in the patients (mean +/- SEM = 47.2 +/- 11.0 vs 79.0 +/- 6.8 nmol/L, p = 0.02) and remained significantly reduced at 4 mo (mean +/- SEM = 44.0 +/- 6.1 vs 91.1 +/- 8.8 nmol/L, p = 0.0001). There were no significant changes in the other hormonal and biochemical data. We conclude that there is functional hypocortisolism in burnout, which is not immediately restored on stress management intervention despite clinical and psychological improvement.
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Association between the cortisol response to opioid blockade and the Asn40Asp polymorphism at the mu-opioid receptor locus (OPRM1).
Hernandez-Avila, CA, Wand, G, Luo, X, Gelernter, J, Kranzler, HR
American journal of medical genetics. Part B, Neuropsychiatric genetics : the official publication of the International Society of Psychiatric Genetics. 2003;(1):60-5
Abstract
UNLABELLED This study examined whether a reportedly functional polymorphism in the gene encoding the mu-opioid receptor protein (A118G, which causes an Asn40Asp substitution in the receptor's extracellular domain), modifies the cortisol response to the opioid antagonist naloxone. The polymorphism occurs commonly in European Americans and some other population groups, underscoring its potential phenotypic significance. METHODS Using a balanced, within-subject design involving two test sessions over a period of 3-7 days, we examined ACTH and cortisol responses to intravenous naloxone (125 microg/kg) or placebo in 30 healthy subjects (21 males, mean age = 24.4 years). Plasma ACTH and cortisol concentrations were measured over 120 min post infusion. DNA isolated from whole blood was PCR amplified and genotyped via restriction enzyme digestion, with genotypes assigned based on agarose gel size fractionation. RESULTS Subjects with one or more Asp40 alleles (n = 6; 5 heterozygotes and 1 homozygote) had significantly higher cortisol concentrations at baseline and at 15, 60, and 90 min after naloxone infusion than subjects homozygous for the Asn40 allele (n = 24). Subjects with the Asp40 allele also had a greater peak cortisol response and a greater area under the cortisol time curve than those homozygous for the Asn40 allele. There were no effects of the Asn40Asp polymorphism on plasma ACTH concentration or on self-reported anxiety or distress. CONCLUSIONS These findings are consistent with recent reports showing an enhanced cortisol response to naloxone and a reduced agonist effect of morphine-6-glucuronide among subjects with the Asp40 variant. Given evidence of its pharmacological significance, the clinical relevance of this polymorphism warrants further investigation.