Abstract # 3172 Composition of the ”energy appeal reaction” to inflammation in healthy midlife and older women

Abstract

“Energy appeal reaction” (EAR; Straub et al., 2010) refers to a physiological frame supporting energetic demands of chronic inflammation by altering metabolism and suppressing other physiological functions, perhaps through changes to the physiologic stress response systems. The EAR has been observed in chronic inflammatory conditions and old age and may lead to metabolic derangements. This structural equations model tested whether elements of the EAR formed a coherent composite in healthy midlife and older (aged 50–75) women (N = 200; M age = 62) and whether the composite correlated with age. Elements were heart rate variability (HRV; log HF power); whole-body bone mineral density (BMD; DXA); ratio of total-body fat mass:lean mass (DXA); and log ratio of cortisol (waking and bedtime; M of 7 days):C-reactive protein. A model with these 5 elements loading on one latent EAR variable fit well (RMSEA = 0.00, CFI = 1.00, SRMR = 0.028). However, the latent variable was composed such that higher scores reflected higher HRV and BMD but a higher fat:lean ratio and a lower cortisol:CRP ratio – loadings in the opposite direction from the EAR in chronic inflammatory conditions. Younger women tended to have higher scores on the latent variable (b = −0.15, p = .13). In good health and low inflammation (M CRP = 2.35, SD = 2.66), relationships among EAR elements were different than in chronic inflammatory disease. Chronic inflammation may change these relationships, for example, by inducing glucocorticoid receptor insensitivity.