Abstract
BackgroundIt is known that long-term psychosocial stress may cause or contribute to different diseases and symptoms and accelerate aging. One of the consequences of prolonged psychosocial stress may be a negative effect on the levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulphated metabolite dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S). The aim of this study is to investigate whether levels of DHEA and DHEA-S differ in individuals who report perceived stress at work compared to individuals who report no perceived stress at work.MethodsMorning fasting DHEA-S and DHEA levels were measured in serum in a non-stressed group (n = 40) and a stressed group (n = 41). DHEA and DHEA-S levels were compared between the groups using ANCOVA, controlling for age.ResultsThe mean DHEA-S levels were 23% lower in the subjects who reported stress at work compared to the non-stressed group. Statistical analysis (ANCOVA) showed a significant difference in DHEA-S levels between the groups (p = 0.010). There was no difference in DHEA level between the groups.ConclusionsThis study indicates that stressed individual have markedly lower levels of DHEA-S. Given the important and beneficial functions of DHEA and DHEA-S, lower levels of DHEA-S may constitute one link between psychosocial stress, ill health and accelerated ageing.
Highlights
It is known that long-term psychosocial stress may cause or contribute to different diseases and symptoms [1,2,3] and accelerate aging [4,5]
DHEAS and DHEA levels were not associated with BMI (r = 0.01, p = 0.994; r = 20.08, p = 0.457, respectively)
dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) levels were significantly higher in men (7.1 mmol/l) than women (4.4 mmol/l) (t = 25.0, p,0.001) (Figure 2) while there was no significant difference in DHEA levels between men (14.1 nmol/l,) and women (12.5 nmol/l) (t = 21.1, p = 0.284)
Summary
It is known that long-term psychosocial stress may cause or contribute to different diseases and symptoms [1,2,3] and accelerate aging [4,5]. One of the consequences of prolonged psychosocial stress may be a reduction of the levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulphated metabolite dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S). Cortisol and DHEA are produced in different sections of the adrenal cortex; the zona fasciculata area secretes cortisol while the zona reticularis area secretes DHEA and DHEAS [6]. In addition to their role as sex steroid precursors, DHEA and DHEA-S are anabolic androgens and they have a protective and regenerative role [7,8]. One of the consequences of prolonged psychosocial stress may be a negative effect on the levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulphated metabolite dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S). The aim of this study is to investigate whether levels of DHEA and DHEA-S differ in individuals who report perceived stress at work compared to individuals who report no perceived stress at work
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