Abstract
IntroductionThe hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is known to be related to abdominal symptoms, and the relationship between abdominal pain and cortisol secretory patterns has been previously investigated using a cross-sectional approach. Here, we investigated the effect of day-to-day variations in salivary cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate levels on abdominal symptoms in healthy individuals.MethodsEleven college students (4 males and 7 females) participated in this study. The participants were asked to collect their saliva immediately after awakening and before bedtime for eight consecutive days. They also completed a questionnaire about abdominal symptoms before bedtime. The linear mixed model was applied to analyze the effects of the day-by-day variability or the 8-day average adrenal hormone level (at awakening, before bedtime, slope from awakening to bedtime) on abdominal symptoms.ResultsThe day-to-day variability of cortisol levels before bedtime was negatively related with loose stool, while the day-to-day variability of the cortisol slope was positively correlated with loose stool. A low 8-day average dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate level at awakening was positively related with frequent bowel movements, loose stool, and long bouts of severe abdominal pain. Likewise, a low 8-day average dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate slope was positively related with long bouts of abdominal pain.ConclusionsLow cortisol levels before bedtime and a steeper diurnal cortisol slope during the day may be related to bouts of diarrhea during the day.
Highlights
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is known to be related to abdominal symptoms, and the relationship between abdominal pain and cortisol secretory patterns has been previously investigated using a crosssectional approach
The 8-day average DHEA-S level at awakening was negatively related to all variables of abdominal symptoms. These results suggest that chronically reduced levels of DHEA-S at awakening or baseline levels are related to the degree and duration of abdominal pain, diarrhea, and infrequent bowel movements
The number of participants in this study was rather small. This is the first study to investigate the effects of day-today variations in salivary cortisol and DHEA-S secretion on abdominal symptoms
Summary
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is known to be related to abdominal symptoms, and the relationship between abdominal pain and cortisol secretory patterns has been previously investigated using a crosssectional approach. The effect of changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis on abdominal symptoms has been previously reported. On the basis of the results of previous studies, Mayer et al (2002) suggested that complex interrelationships exist between gut-associated immune tissue, the central nervous system, and the enteric nervous system [1]. Previous studies have suggested a relationship between abdominal pain and the cortisol response levels in the morning and evening. Patients with functional gastrointestinal disorder have been shown to have lower cortisol levels 60 min after awakening as compared with healthy controls there was no significant difference in the cortisol response after awakening between these groups. Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) showed significantly higher cortisol levels in the morning and lower levels in the evening while maintaining the physiological circadian fluctuation (i.e., morning cortisol levels higher than in the evening) [7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call