Biological Stress Markers Research Articles

The corrective effect of Au/Ag/Fe nanoparticles on oxidative stress in terms induced colon adenocarcinoma

ABSTRACT. Studying biological markers of oxidative stress is crucial and relevant, as this process can trigger the transition from an organ's "normal state" to a "malignant lesion". The use of metal nanoparticles to correct oxidative stress manifestations in oncology is one of the most popular subjects of modern science and is actively being introduced into modern medicine. Practically all possible types of nanoparticles have found their use in solving different problems in oncology. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the possibility of Au/Ag/Fe nanoparticles use for the correction of redox balance disorders of the antioxidant system under the conditions of induced colon adenocarcinoma. Materials and methods. The study was performed on 150 white male rats. Animals were kept in standard vivarium conditions. Division of experimental rats into groups: I - control intact group (40 individuals); II - experimental group (70 individuals) with N,N-dimethylhydrazine hydrochloride administration once a week for 30 weeks; ІІІ – an experimental group (40 animals) with daily intragastric administration of Au/Ag/Fe nanoparticles. Oxidative stress was assessed in colon tissue homogenate by changes in the concentrations of 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-iso-PGF2α), TBC-active products, diene and triene conjugates, Schiff bases, as well as by the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and reduced glutathione. Results. Due to this research, we established that Au/Ag/Fe nanoparticles use leads to a decrease in the concentration of 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-iso-PGF2α), TBC-active substances, diene, triene conjugates, Schiff bases. As a result of the above, we observed a reduction of manifestations of oxidative stress and restoration of enzymes of the antioxidant system and its biological mediators of a non-enzymatic nature. The activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and the concentration of reduced glutathione was restored to control indicators. Conclusions. Therefore, the use of Au/Ag/Fe nanoparticles leads to the restoration of the balance of redox equilibrium, improving the antioxidant system with induced adenocarcinoma of the large intestine.

Impact of Community Policing on Biological Markers of Health Across Development in Black Youth

Policing inequities are harmful sources of systemic racism perpetuated disproportionately against Black Americans. This includes unjust police encounters in Black communities such as racial profiling, stop-and-frisk, hyperpolicing, aggressive policing, police brutality, and police shootings. A knowledge gap exists in how this mistreatment, via direct or intergenerational exposure, impacts physiological systems in Black youth. Using three studies, we tested how exposure to unjust policing biologically “gets under the skin” of Black youth from infancy to emerging adulthood. Study 1 (IDS) examined associations between neighborhood stop-and-frisk rates and telomere length in infants. Study 2 (NSPAC) explored associations between mothers’ experience of unfair treatment by police and developmental and stress related hormone coupling in their children ages 5-15. Study 3 (SDRG) tested whether encounters with police in the 8th grade had a lasting impact on diurnal and waking cortisol six years later during emerging adulthood. Rates of neighborhood stop-and-frisk were associated with shorter telomeres in infants (study 1, IDS). Children whose mothers experienced unfair treatment from police showed, during the TSST, blunted cortisol stress reactivity, slower cortisol recovery, and altered cortisol-testosterone coupling (study 2, NSPAC). Adolescents who experienced police encounters had higher waking cortisol as emerging adults (study 3, SDRG). Policing inequities were linked to biological markers of stress and health across all developmental stages of Black youth. Direct, within child’s neighborhoods and intergenerational unjust policing were associated with stress-responsive biological pathways in Black youth. Findings represent a critical and modifiable target when seeking to address persistent racial inequity.

The effects of hydrocortisone and yohimbine on human behavior in approach-avoidance conflicts

RationaleBalancing approach of positive and avoidance of negative stimuli is essential when faced with approach-avoidance conflicts, e.g., situations with both positive and negative outcomes. This balance is disturbed in several mental disorders, e.g., excessive avoidance in anxiety disorders, and heightened approach in substance use disorders. Since stress is assumed to impact these disorders’ etiology and maintenance, it seems crucial to understand how stress influences behavior in approach-avoidance conflicts. Indeed, some studies suggested altered approach-avoidance behavior under acute stress, but the mechanism underlying these effects is unknown.ObjectivesInvestigate how the pharmacological manipulation of major stress mediators (cortisol and noradrenaline) influences task-based approach-avoidance conflict behavior in healthy individuals.MethodsNinety-six participants (48 women, 48 men) received either 20mg hydrocortisone, 20mg yohimbine, both, or placebo before performing a task targeting foraging under predation in a fully crossed double-blind between-subject design. Moreover, we investigated effects of gender and endogenous testosterone and estradiol levels on approach-avoidance behavior.ResultsWhile biological stress markers (cortisol concentration, alpha amylase activity) indicated successful pharmacological manipulation, behavior in approach-avoidance conflicts was not affected as expected. Although yohimbine administration affected risky foraging latency under predation, we found no main effect of hydrocortisone or their interaction on behavior. In contrast, we found gender differences for almost all behavioral outcome measures, which might be explained by differences in endogenous testosterone levels.ConclusionsThe investigated major stress mediators were not sufficient to imitate previously shown stress effects on approach-avoidance conflict behavior. We discuss potential reasons for our findings and implications for future research.

Ameliorative effects of phlorotannin-rich fraction of Sargassum tenerrimum in high-fat diet and low dose streptozotocin-induced metabolic changes and oxidative stress in diabetic rats

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is a progressing polygenic disease demanding a multitargeted treatment strategy. Sargassum tenerrimum (ST) is a marine brown alga with potentially bioactive chemicals that could be used as innovative biotherapeutics for diabetes treatment. The current research examined the potential of the phlorotannin-rich fraction from S. tenerrimum (PST) to mitigate diabetes in Wistar albino rats induced with high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ) administration. Methods: Diabetic rats were given PST (200 and 400 mg/kg) or metformin (250 mg/kg) orally three weeks, and followed by the measurements of insulin, glycemic factors, biological markers of oxidative stress, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), as well as hepatic and pancreatic histopathological changes. Results: PST treatment significantly decreased fasting blood glucose, insulin resistance, lipid profile, hepatic profile, and TNF- α levels and improved serum insulin and glucose tolerance in diabetic rats. In the skeletal muscles of diabetic rats, PST led to a significant rise in antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) reductase, and a decrease in lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, PST treatment significantly reduced pancreatic-cell damage and hepatic fatty accumulation. PST was more efficacious at 400 mg/kg exhibiting a dose-dependent effect. Conclusion: PST improves glucolipid metabolism in HFD and STZ-induced diabetic rats, probably by reducing hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, inflammation, and damage to pancreatic and hepatic architectures. The findings suggest that PST has a curative impact on diabetes mellitus type 2 and represents a new subject of study for the treatment of diabetes naturally.

Hair cortisol concentration, disease severity and quality of life in dogs with atopic dermatitis during lokivetmab therapy.

There are no studies which evaluate hair cortisol as a biological marker of stress and anxiety in pruritic dogs during atopic dermatitis therapy. A longitudinal evaluation of hair cortisol concentrations, the severity of disease and the QoL in dogs with cAD during therapy with lokivetmab. Ten client-owned dogs with cAD. Dogs were assessed at three time points: at the initial visit at day (D) 0 and at D28, when lokivetmab (2.2-3.2 mg/kg) was administered, and at D56 for one further evaluation. At all time points, pruritus and lesion severity was assessed using the pruritus Visual Analog Scale (PVAS) and Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index, 4th iteration (CADESI-04). Dog owners filled out a validated QoL questionnaire and hair cortisol concentrations were measured from samples collected from the same area on each dog. There was a significant reduction in PVAS (p < 0.001) and improvement in QoL of dogs (QoL1) and owners (QoL2) after lokivetmab administration, with a positive correlation of the PVAS with QoL1 and QoL2 (r = 0.71 and 0.52, respectively). There was no difference in CADESI-04 scores at the different time points (p = 0.515). A significant reduction in hair cortisol levels at D56 was measured compared with D28 (p < 0.001). Hair cortisol may be a useful marker of stress in dogs with cAD. These results highlight the negative impact of cAD on the QoL of dogs and their owners, and the positive benefit of lokivetmab therapy.

The effectiveness of three mobile-based psychological interventions in reducing psychological distress and preventing stress-related changes in the psycho-neuro-endocrine-immune network in breast cancer survivors: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BackgroundA growing body of literature shows that psychological distress is not only a major threat to psychological well-being but can also have a significant impact on physical health. In cancer patients, it can negatively affect prognosis and posttreatment recovery processes. Since face-to-face psychological interventions are often inaccessible to cancer patients, researchers have recently been focusing on the effectiveness of eHealth adaptations of well-established approaches. In this context, there has been a call for high-quality randomised controlled trials that would allow for a direct comparison of different approaches, potentially addressing different needs and preferences of patients, and also for more systematic research focusing on how psychological interventions affect not only psychological but also biological markers of stress. Both of these questions are addressed in the present study. MethodsA randomised controlled trial will be carried out to test and compare the effectiveness of three eight-week eHealth programmes for the mental health support of cancer patients. All programmes will be delivered through the same application for mobile devices MOU MindCare. N = 440 of breast cancer survivors will be recruited at the end of their adjuvant treatment (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or both) and randomly assigned to one of the three interventions – Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Cancer (MBCT-Ca), Positive Psychology (PP), or Autogenic Training (AT) – or the treatment-as-usual (TAU) control group. Psychological and biological markers of stress and adaptive functioning will be assessed at baseline (T0), post-treatment (T1), three-month follow-up (T2), and nine-month follow-up (T3). Primary outcomes will include heart-rate variability and self-report measures of depression, anxiety, perceived stress, general quality of life, and positive mental health. Secondary outcomes will include the levels of serum cortisol and immunomarkers, sleep quality, fatigue, common health symptoms, and several transdiagnostic psychological variables that are expected to be specifically affected by the MBCT-Ca and PP interventions, including dispositional mindfulness, emotion regulation, self-compassion, perceived hope, and gratitude. The data will be analysed using the mixed model repeated measures (MMRM) approach. DiscussionThis trial is unique in comparing three different eHealth interventions for cancer patients based on three well-established approaches to mental health support delivered on the same platform. The study will allow us to examine whether different types of interventions affect different indicators of mental health. In addition, it will provide valuable data regarding the effects of stress-reducing psychological interventions on the biomarkers of stress playing an essential role in cancer recovery processes and general health.

Body surface temperature of rats reveals both magnitude and sex differences in the acute stress response

Understanding how biological markers of stress relate to stressor magnitude is much needed and can be used in welfare assessment. Changes in body surface temperature can be measured using infrared thermography (IRT) as a marker of a physiological response to acute stress. While an avian study has shown that changes in body surface temperature can reflect the intensity of acute stress, little is known about surface temperature responses to stressors of different magnitudes and its sex-specificity in mammals, and how they correlate with hormonal and behavioural responses. We used IRT to collect continuous surface temperature measurements of tail and eye of adult male and female rats (Rattus norvegicus), for 30 minutes after exposure to one of three stressors (small cage, encircling handling or rodent restraint cone) for one minute, and cross-validated the thermal response with plasma corticosterone (CORT) and behavioural assessment. To obtain individual baseline temperatures and thermal responses to stress, rats were imaged in a test arena (to which they were habituated) for 30 seconds before and 30 minutes after being exposed to the stressor. In response to the three stressors, tail temperature initially decreased and then recovered to, or overshot the baseline temperature. Tail temperature dynamics differed between stressors; being restrained in the small cage was associated with the smallest drop in temperature, in male rats, and the fastest thermal recovery, in both sexes. Increases in eye temperature only distinguished between stressors early in the response and only in females. The post stressor increase in eye temperature was greater in the right eye of males and the left eye of females. In both sexes encircling may have been associated with the fastest increase in CORT. These results were in line with observed behavioural changes, with greater movement in rats exposed to the small cage and higher immobility after encircling. The female tail and eye temperature, as well as the CORT concentrations did not return to pre-stressor levels in the observation period, in conjunction with the greater occurrence of escape-related behaviours in female rats. These results suggest that female rats are more vulnerable to acute restraint stress compared to male rats and emphasise the importance of using both sexes in future investigations of stressor magnitude. This study demonstrates that acute stress induced changes in mammalian surface temperature measured with IRT relate to the magnitude of restraint stress, indicate sex differences and correlate with hormonal and behavioural responses. Thus, IRT has the potential to become a non-invasive method of continuous welfare assessment in unrestrained mammals.

Prebiotic Consumption Alters Microbiota but Not Biological Markers of Stress and Inflammation or Mental Health Symptoms in Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Controlled, Crossover Trial

BackgroundChronic stress contributes to systemic inflammation and diminished mental health. Although animal work suggests strong links with the microbiota-gut-brain axis, clinical trials investigating the effectiveness of prebiotics in improving mental health and reducing inflammation are lacking. ObjectivesWe aimed to determine fructooligosaccharide (FOS) and galactooligosaccharide (GOS) effects on biological markers of stress and inflammation and mental health symptoms in adults. Secondary outcomes included fecal microbiota and metabolites, digestive function, emotion, and sleep. MethodsTwenty-four healthy adults (25–45 y; 14 females, 10 males; BMI, 29.3 ± 1.8 kg/m2) from central Illinois participated in a 2-period, randomized, controlled, single-blinded crossover trial. Interventions included the prebiotic (PRE) treatment (237 mL/d Lactaid low-fat 1% milk, 5 g/d FOS, 5 g/d GOS) and control (CON) (237 mL/d Lactaid), which were consumed in counterbalanced order for 4 wk each, separated by ≥4-wk washout. Inflammatory markers were measured in blood plasma (>10-h fast) and cortisol in urine. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-42 assessed mental health symptoms. Fecal samples were collected for 16S rRNA gene (V4 region) sequencing and analysis. Emotion was measured by rating images from a computer task. Sleep was assessed using 7-d records and accelerometers. Change scores were analyzed using linear mixed models with treatment and baseline covariate as fixed effects and participant ID as the random effect. ResultsThere were no differences in change scores between PRE and CON treatments on biological markers of stress and inflammation or mental health. PRE increased change in percent sequences (q = 0.01) of Actinobacteriota (CON: 0.46 ± 0.70%; PRE: 5.40 ± 1.67%) and Bifidobacterium (CON: -1.72 ± 0.43%; PRE: 4.92 ± 1.53%). There were also no differences in change scores between treatments for microbial metabolites, digestive function, emotion, or sleep quality. ConclusionsFOS+GOS did not affect biological markers of stress and inflammation or mental health symptoms in healthy adults; however, it increased Bifidobacterium. Clinical Trial RegistryNCT04551937, www.clinicaltrials.gov

Stress and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis: How can the COVID-19 pandemic inform our understanding and treatment of acute insomnia?

Stress and sleep are very closely linked, and stressful life events can trigger acute insomnia. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is highly likely to represent one such stressful life event. Indeed, a wide range of cross-sectional studies demonstrate that the pandemic is associated with poor sleep and sleep disturbances. Given the high economic and health burden of insomnia disorder, strategies that can prevent and treat acute insomnia, and also prevent the transition from acute insomnia to insomnia disorder, are necessary. This narrative review outlines why the COVID-19 pandemic is a stressful life event, and why activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, as a biological marker of psychological stress, is likely to result in acute insomnia. Further, this review outlines how sleep disturbances might arise as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and why simultaneous hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis measurement can inform the pathogenesis of acute insomnia. In particular, we focus on the cortisol awakening response as a marker of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function, as cortisol is the end-product of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. From a research perspective, future opportunities include identifying individuals, or particular occupational or societal groups (e.g. frontline health staff), who are at high risk of developing acute insomnia, and intervening. From an acute insomnia treatment perspective, priorities include testing large-scale online behavioural interventions; examining if reducing the impact of stress is effective and, finally, assessing whether "sleep vaccination" can maintain good sleep health by preventing the occurrence of acute insomnia, by preventing the transition from acute insomnia to insomnia disorder.

Performance, blood biochemistry, carcass fatty acids, antioxidant status, and HSP70 gene expressions in Japanese quails reared under high stocking density: the effects of grape seed powder and meal.

Japanese quails reared under high stocking density (SD) were evaluated for the effects of grape seed powder (GSP) and meal (GSM) supplementation on performance, blood biochemistry, thigh and breast muscle fatty acids, antioxidant status, and HSP70 gene expression. We randomly assigned 288 (15-day-old) quail chicks to six treatment groups in a factorial design (2 × 3) with four replicates, involving two density levels [160 cm2/bird (LD) and 80 cm2/bird (HD)] and three feed forms (FFs) [no supplementation, grape seed powder (3% GSP), grape seed meal (3% GSM)]. SD had a significant effect on live weight, but not on weekly feed intake, daily weight gain, and feed conversion ratio. Serum creatinine and aspartate aminotransferase levels were significantly affected by FF and SD × FF (p < 0.05). A high SD reduced the n-3/n-6 ratio of breast muscle and a significant interaction was found between FF (p < 0.001). The SD × FF interaction reduced the Σn-6 ratio in HDM's thigh muscle, whereas in LDM, the ratio increased (p < 0.01). At high SD, neither GSP nor GSM reduced biological markers of oxidative stress (p > 0.05). Compared to GSP, GSM had higher efficacy at reducing HSP70 levels related to high SD levels. Despite this, at high SD, a diet containing 3% of GSP and GSM was not effective in overcoming oxidative stress. Therefore, more studies using different doses of GSM and GSP in quail diets would be beneficial.

Antioxidant response of sweet pepper fruits infected with Alternaria alternata

Capsicum annuum is valuable source of many bioactive compounds with the protective role in plants against biotic and abiotic stress as well as beneficial effect on humans? health. This vegetable is susceptible to many infections, including postharvest decay caused by fungus Alternaria alternata. In order to better understanding pepper fruits defense system, the concentration of phenols and ascorbic acid, scavenging activity and antioxidant enzyme activity in three kapia type sweet pepper fruits (Amfora, Una and Kurtovka kapia) infected with fungus A. alternata were determined in this study. Amfora fruits had the highest tolerance to Alternaria infection. Amfora and Una increase total phenol and vitamin C content after wounding and inoculation, while Kurtovska kapia decreased amount of vitamin C. Depending on reaction mechanism, antioxidant tests showed no changes or decrease in antioxidant capacity in treated fruits. Except for phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity in Amfora and Kurtovska kapia and ascorbate peroxidase activity in wounded Kurtovska kapia fruits, all measured enzyme activity showed no changes or decrease by wounding and/or Alternaria infection. According to results of intensity of lipid peroxidation as biological marker of oxidative stress, it can be concluded that wounding and infection disturb redox balance in all examined genotypes. The tested genotypes showed certain difference in antioxidant defence against wounding and pathogen stress.

Ingestion and effects of green synthesized cadmium sulphide nanoparticle on Spodoptera Litura as an insecticidal and their antimicrobial and anticancer activities

The current study investigated the multifunctional properties of Cadmium Sulphide Nanoparticles synthesized using a green synthesis method (CdS NPs) using a green feedstock, Nopal Cactus fruit extract. The biological activities of the CdS NPs were thoroughly investigated, including their insecticidal, antibacterial, and anticancer activities. The different concentrations (0.005–0.04%) of CdS NPs were fed to the larvae of Spodoptera litura, and their ingestion effects were observed on the different biological, biochemical, and oxidative stress markers. There are significant dose-dependent changes in the biochemical parameters like superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and MDA level as a marker of lipid peroxidation in the treated larvae were studied. In the highest concentration (0.04%), significant larval mortality (46.66%), malformation (pupae and adult) (27.78%), inhibition of adult emergence (43.87%), as well as reduced fecundity (25.28%), and fertility (22.74%) as compared to control was observed. CdS NPs have been investigated for antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus bacterial strains. In vitro anticancer activities were carried out to decrease the viability of the Pancreatic cancer cell line. The cells showed 18% and 12% viability at a 200 μg/ml concentration when incubated with CdS NPs for 24 and 48 h, respectively, confirming its potent anticancer property. The lack of cytotoxicity against the (RBC) endorses the biocompatible nature of synthesized CdS NPs. It was observed that green synthesized CdS NPs could be used as a promising insecticidal, antibacterial, and anticancer agent.

Abstract 11202: A Biomarker of Stress and Self-Reported Stress Related to Caregiving Predict Poor Quality of Life in Caregivers of Patients With Heart Failure

Introduction: Caregivers of patients with heart failure (HF) are at high risk of low quality of life due to stress-related to caregiving. Self-reported measures are commonly used to assess relatively long-term stress related to caregiving. Still, biological markers of stress, a short-term stress measure, are rarely used. There is limited knowledge on whether both can predict the quality of life in caregivers of patients with HF. Hypothesis: The stress biomarker (serum cortisol) and subjective distress related to caregiving (Caregiver Burden Inventory) predict the quality of life in caregivers of patients with HF. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, Taiwanese caregivers of patients with HF completed surveys including stress-related caregiving and quality of life measured by the Caregiving Burden Inventory and the Short Form-36, respectively. A blood sample for serum cortisol was collected between 9 and 12 AM. Independent t-test and multivariable linear regression analysis were conducted adjusting for age, gender, education, marital status, relationship with care-recipient and depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire). Results: Of the 113 caregivers (mean age 54.5 years, 70.8% female, 78% married/cohabitated), 59% cared for patients with NYHA class III/V. Single caregivers had higher serum cortisol levels than married caregivers (11.4 vs. 8.5, p =.002). Males had a significantly higher serum cortisol level than females (10.7 vs. 8.5, p =.010), but males reported a lower caregiver burden than females (1.3 vs. 1.6, p =.049). Both serum cortisol (β =-.36, P=.012) and caregiver burden (β = -.29, P= .018) were significant predictors of physical well-being. Serum cortisol (β= -.28, p=.026) and caregiver burden (β =-.25, p =.027) also significantly predicted mental well-being. Conclusions: Although stress levels are different by caregivers’ characteristics, both cortisol level and self-report caregiver burden have similar predictability of quality of life in caregivers of patients with HF. Reducing stress and caregiver burden is necessary to improve the quality of life in this population.

Feed your microbes to deal with stress: a psychobiotic diet impacts microbial stability and perceived stress in a healthy adult population

The impact of diet on the microbiota composition and the role of diet in supporting optimal mental health have received much attention in the last decade. However, whether whole dietary approaches can exert psychobiotic effects is largely understudied. Thus, we investigated the influence of a psychobiotic diet (high in prebiotic and fermented foods) on the microbial profile and function as well as on mental health outcomes in a healthy human population. Forty-five adults were randomized into either a psychobiotic (n = 24) or control (n = 21) diet for 4 weeks. Fecal microbiota composition and function was characterized using shotgun sequencing. Stress, overall health and diet were assessed using validated questionnaires. Metabolic profiling of plasma, urine and fecal samples was performed. Intervention with a psychobiotic diet resulted in reductions of perceived stress (32% in diet vs. 17% in control group), but not between groups. Similarly, biological marker of stress were not affected. Additionally, higher adherence to the diet resulted in stronger decreases in perceived stress. While the dietary intervention elicited only subtle changes in microbial composition and function, significant changes in the level of 40 specific fecal lipids and urinary tryptophan metabolites were observed. Lastly, microbial volatility was linked to greater changes in perceived stress scores in those on the psychobiotic diet. These results highlight that dietary approaches can be used to reduce perceived stress in a human cohort. Using microbiota-targeted diets to positively modulate gut-brain communication holds possibilities for the reduction of stress and stress-associated disorders, but additional research is warranted to investigate underlying mechanisms, including the role of the microbiota.

Psychobiological Evaluation of Day Clinic Treatment for People Living With Dementia - Feasibility and Pilot Analyses.

BackgroundHospitalization is often stressful and burdensome for people living with dementia (PwD) and their informal caregivers (ICs). Day clinic treatment may provide a suitable alternative, but is often precluded by a diagnosis of dementia. Furthermore, it is often caregiver-based ratings that measure treatment success as the validity of self-reports in PwD is critically discussed. We therefore set out to examine the feasibility of psychobiological stress measures in PwD and ICs and to evaluate treatment trajectories considering both the day clinic context and the daily life of the dyads.MethodA total of 40 dyads of PwD (mean age: 78.15 ± 6.80) and their ICs (mean age: 63.85 ± 13.09) completed paper-and-pencil questionnaires (covering stress, depressive symptoms, and caregiver burden among others) in addition to the measurement of hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) at admission, discharge, and follow-up 6 months after day clinic treatment. As part of an ambulatory assessment, for 2 days at the beginning and 2 days at the end of the day clinic treatment, PwD and ICs collected six saliva samples per day for the analysis of salivary cortisol (sCort) and alpha-amylase (sAA).ResultsPaper-and-pencil questionnaires and HCC assessments were more feasible than the ambulatory assessment. We found discrepancies between subjective and physiological markers of stress in PwD. Whereas HCC decreased over time, self-reported stress increased. Child–parent dyads reported decreases in neuropsychiatric symptoms, associated burden, and self-reported stress from admission to follow-up. In daily life, both PwD and ICs showed characteristic diurnal profiles of sAA and sCort, however, we found no differences in summary indicators of salivary stress markers over time.DiscussionThe psychobiological evaluation was feasible and added informative value, underlining the potential of physiological stress markers to complement self-reports on stress in PwD and to objectively evaluate treatment trajectories. In this sample, HCC was more feasible and acceptable as biological marker of stress compared to saliva samples. Concerning treatment trajectories, differential effects on the dyads were found, with child–parent dyads benefiting more from day clinic treatment compared to spousal dyads.

The independent association between salivary alpha-amylase activity and arterial stiffness in Japanese men and women: the Toon Health Study.

Psychological stress is considered to be a potential contributor in the development of arterial stiffness. However, an independent association between arterial stiffness and biological markers of stress has not yet been established. We examined the independent association between salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) activity and arterial stiffness, not mediated by cardiometabolic disease associated with arterial stiffness, in a sample of healthy Japanese men and women. Participants (992 in total, 296 men and 696 women aged 30-79 years) had neither previous cardiovascular events or stroke, nor coexisting hypertension, diabetes, or dyslipidemia. Arterial stiffness was measured by the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), and increased CAVI was defined as a CAVI value of 9 or higher. A saliva sample was collected in the morning and sAA was measured with a commercial assay kit. Higher sAA activity was positively associated with greater arterial stiffness particularly among women (β = 0.070; 95% CI = 0.014-0.126; p = 0.01), and not across all participants (β = 0.042; 95% CI = -0.005-0.089; p = 0.08) and in men (β = -0.005; 95% CI = -0.097-0.087; p = 0.91). The association was strongest in the group of women aged 60 years and older (β = 0.121; 95% CI = 0.018-0.224; p = 0.02). Although the association between sAA and increased CAVI (CAVI ≥ 9) was not significant in all and sex subgroups, odds ratios (OR) for CAVI ≥ 7 were significantly high in all participants (OR = 1.25; 95% CI = 1.03-1.53) and women (OR = 1.43; 95% CI = 1.12-1.82). Elevation of sAA was associated with an increase in arterial stiffness, particularly for women aged 60 years or older.

Gender Differences in Perceived Stress and Biological Stress Markers are Associated with Changes in Resting Heart Rate

ObjectiveOur study objective is to evaluate whether gender differences in both perceived and biological stress levels will alter resting heart rates.HypothesisWe hypothesize that females will experience higher levels of perceived and biological stress which will translate to a higher resting heart rate compared to males.Methods19 first‐year medical students participated in this study. Participants wore Fitbits to collect heart rate data throughout the course of the academic year. During exam weeks (the “stressor”), participants filled out a standard psychometric questionnaire to assess perceived stress levels and saliva samples were collected to measure cortisol and alpha‐amylase concentrations.ResultsOur study showed that females have higher resting heart rates than males (65.8±6.8 bpm vs 57.7±4.34 bpm, p&lt;0.001). Females recorded having higher perceived stress levels than males (7.9±4.6 vs. 2.12±5.27, p&lt;0.001), as well as having higher salivary alpha‐amylase concentrations than males (33.95±29.50 U/mL vs. 75.4±76.44 U/mL p=0.001). No difference in salivary cortisol concentrations between females and males are seen (0.44±0.25 ug/dL vs. 0.39±0.24 ug/dL, p= 0.3).In females, there is a weak positive correlation between RHR and perceived stress level (0.22), as well as with amylase (0.26). In males, there is a moderate negative correlation between RHR and perceived stress level (‐0.48) and a weak positive correlation between RHR and cortisol (0.26). There was no relationship between RHR and amylase.ConclusionFemales have higher levels of perceived stress levels which is in agreement with their higher levels of alpha‐amylase, a marker of psychosocial stress via the sympatho‐adrenal‐medullary system. As salivary alpha‐amylase has been suggested to reflect catecholaminergic reactivity, it seems likely that this is responsible for the increased resting heart rate. This relationship is not consistent in males where perceived stress is associated with a decrease in RHR. However, in males a relationship was seen between biological markers of stress (cortisol via the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis) and RHR. This study suggests that the relationship between biological measures of stress and heart rate vary with gender and that females experience an increased level of perceived stress overall.

‘Doctor, I am so stressed out!’ A descriptive study of biological, psychological, and socioemotional markers of stress in individuals who self-identify as being ‘very stressed out’ or ‘zen’

Surveys report that about three-quarters of visits to general practitioners in America are for stress-related complaints. Animal and human studies have consistently demonstrated that exposure to acute and/or chronic stress leads to the activation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and/or hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and to the production of catecholamines and glucocorticoids. Yet, many studies performed in humans do not report significant associations between subjective feelings of stress and increases in these stress biomarkers. Consequently, it is not clear whether the stress-related complaints of individuals are associated with significant increases in these stress biomarkers. In the present study, we measured whether individuals who self-identify as being ‘very stressed out’ or ‘zen’ present differences in psychological (depression and anxiety symptoms), biological (basal and reactive levels of glucocorticoids and alpha-amylase) and socioemotional (emotion regulation, mind wandering, personality, resilience and positive mental health) factors associated with stress. Salivary levels of cortisol and alpha-amylase were obtained in the home environment and in reaction to the Trier Social Stress Test in 123 adults aged between 19 and 55 years. All participants completed questionnaires assessing the psychological and socioemotional factors described above. The results showed that groups significantly differed on almost all psychological and socioemotional factors, although we found no significant group differences on biological markers of stress (cortisol or alpha-amylase). These results suggest that when people complain of being ‘very stressed out’, what they may really be alluding to is an experience of psychological distress that is related to poor emotion regulation capacities. It is thus possible that the construct of stress used by people to discuss their internal state of 'stress' is quite different than the construct of stress measured in animal and human laboratories using biomarkers of 'stress'.

Five-factor model personality traits and 24-h urinary cortisol in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.

Stress is implicated in models of personality and health as a mechanism that explains why traits like conscientiousness and neuroticism are associated with long-term health outcomes. Evidence for an association between personality and cortisol, a biological marker of stress, however, has been inconsistent. This study examined the association between Five-Factor Model personality traits and 24-h urinary cortisol (operationalised as a ratio of urinary free cortisol to creatinine) measured up to 12 times over intervals as long as 30years in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (Mage =61.21, SD=15.46; 49% female). There was a modest association between conscientiousness and lower mean-level cortisol that was attenuated only slightly in the fully-adjusted model. Neuroticism and the other traits were unrelated to cortisol levels, and none of the traits was related to cortisol change over time. The null association for neuroticism suggests that its relation with long-term health may be primarily through pathways other than cortisol. The modest association between conscientiousness and 24-h urinary cortisol replicates a previous finding with a longer-term measure of cortisol measured from hair, which calls for more research on the robustness and replicability of this finding. Cortisol may be one pathway through which conscientiousness is associated with health outcomes.

The effect of cognitive behavioral stress management on perceived stress, biological stress markers and weight loss/regain, from a diet-induced weight loss program: A randomized controlled trial

Obesity and psychosocial stress are inter-related chronic conditions which lead to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The aim of this parallel randomized controlled trial was to determine whether the addition of a structured cognitive behavioral stress management (CBSM) on to a commercial online weight loss program, resulted in greater weight loss than the standard weight loss program in isolation. Eligible participants were adults between the ages 18–65, BMI 30–45 kg/m2, with no major systemic or psychiatric conditions. Seventy-four participants were assigned according to simple randomization using computer generated random numbers to either a 3-month online Weight Watchers® program (n = 36), or Weight Watchers® plus 10 weekly sessions of CBSM (n = 38). The primary outcome was weight at 3 months compared to baseline. Secondary outcomes were weight at 12 months and subjective/objective stress system measures and metabolic markers at 3 and 12 months. The study was powered at 90% to detect a 5 kg difference in weight between the two groups at 3 months. Independent sample t-tests were used to analyze the difference in weight (in kg) between the groups and paired sample t-tests were used to analyze the difference within group at different time intervals. At follow-up, there was no significant difference in weight loss between the groups (1.8 kg, 2.1 kg). However, CBSM was effective in reducing psychological measures of stress (p < 0.05) and salivary cortisol (waking, 20-min post-waking) at 3-months; with the effect on stress persisting at 12-months within the CBSM group. The reduction in PSS at 3 months was significantly greater in the CBSM group (3.84, p = 0.028) compared to WW only group at 3 months. Addition of CBSM to a standard weight loss intervention did not improve the weight loss over the standard approach on its own, but the CBSM intervention improved psychological stress parameters and cortisol secretion in participants living with obesity.