Abstract
Currently, the quantitative analysis of moderators affecting the function of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis in health and sickness is still unreliable. This is, in particular, due to physiological factors such as pulsatile ultradian and circadian glucocorticoid secretion as well as to methodological limitations of the current techniques for steroid hormone determination. Based on this background, the determination of long-term hair steroid concentrations is an important methodological improvement allowing for the quantitative analysis of chronic HPA axis-activation. In order to determine the relationship between chronic mental and physical stress and a chronic activation of the HPA axis, we performed a cross-sectional pilot-study with 40 healthy students and examined the relationships between physical activity, mental burden(s), subjective stress perceptions, depressiveness, anxiety, physical complaints, sense of coherence, resilience, and the long-term integrated steroid hormone levels in hair. The results showed that the concentrations of cortisol, cortisone, and dehydroepiandrosterone in hair were significantly correlated to mental (p = 0.034) and physical stress (p = 0.001) as well as to subjective stress perception (p = 0.006). We conclude that steroid concentrations in hair are decisive predictors for an increase in the long-term-HPA axis activity. Moreover, this biomarker is suitable for capturing the stresslevel after burdening events and physical activity.
Highlights
In regard to the crucial influence variables of the HPA axis, using traditional investigative methods it could already be proved that with growing age as well as with depression and/or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the HPA axis undergoes a “load factor“, whereby a greater activity of the HPA axis in old age is accompanied by an increase in physical capacity[18,19,20,21]
As data regarding the change in the HPA axis which include cortisone as well as dehydroepiandrosetrone (DHEA) had been unavailable up to now, we determined these in the current study
Epigenetic inactivation mechanisms have been described for the hypothalamic glucocorticoid receptor gene[26], and it has been speculated that mental strain as well as sustained athletic activity might result in reduced responsiveness of the cortisol receptor and increased stress resistance, potentially associated with longevity[27]
Summary
In regard to the crucial influence variables of the HPA axis, using traditional investigative methods it could already be proved that with growing age as well as with depression and/or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the HPA axis undergoes a “load factor“, whereby a greater activity of the HPA axis in old age is accompanied by an increase in physical capacity[18,19,20,21]. Epigenetic inactivation mechanisms have been described for the hypothalamic glucocorticoid receptor gene[26], and it has been speculated that mental strain as well as sustained athletic activity might result in reduced responsiveness of the cortisol receptor and increased stress resistance, potentially associated with longevity[27]. Salutogenic personal traits like the sense of coherence and resilience are associated with a reduced activation of the HPA axis[30,31]. This model has received growing attention with respect to our understanding of disease and is to be determined in the current study[32,33,34]. This might potentially contribute to a better understanding of sickness and as well as of aging
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