Differences In Salivary Cortisol Research Articles

Diurnal Profiles of the Endocrine Stress Response in Internet Gaming Disorder

Background: Differences in subjective stress perception and acute response of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis have been reported in internet gaming disorder (IGD). The present study aimed to further investigate alterations in diurnal profiles of the endocrine stress response system in IGD compared to healthy controls (HCs). Methods: The diurnal course of endocrine markers (salivary cortisol and α-amylase) was investigated in a clinical sample of n = 29 adolescents with IGD compared to n = 26 HC. Further, the effect of unrestricted gaming versus restricted gaming was examined within the IGD group. Results: No significant differences in salivary cortisol and α-amylase were observed comparing adolescents with IGD and HC. In addition, in the IGD group, there were no significant differences in salivary cortisol and α-amylase between conditions of unrestricted gaming versus restricted gaming. Compared to the HC group, the IGD group showed a significantly higher body mass index. Conclusions: Our results indicate no alteration in diurnal profiles of the endocrine stress response in IGD.

8689 Salivary cortisol and cortisone levels in obese and non-obese Korean children

Abstract Disclosure: M. Jung: None. M. Kim: None. Y. Choi: None. H. Yoo: None. S. Lee: None. E. Yoo: None. Purpose: Measurement of salivary cortisol is non-invasive and the level correlates well with that of free cortisol, but data in children are insufficient. We measured salivary cortisol and cortisone levels in obese children and compared with those in non-obese healthy children. Methods: A Total of 84 (45 obese and 39 non-obese) children aged 6 to 12 years were recruited. Children with acute or chronic illness were excluded. Salivary samples were analyzed for cortisol and cortisone using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Serum cortisol levels were measured only in obese children. Results: There was no significant difference in salivary cortisol and cortisone levels between the non-obese and obese children. There was no gender difference in salivary cortisol and cortisone levels. Salivary cortisol correlated to serum cortisol levels in obese children (ρ = 0.428, P = 0.007). Salivary cortisone levels were related with salivary cortisol (ρ = 0.537, P <0.001), and inversely with sampling time range (ρ = -0.282, P= 0.009). There was no significant correlations between salivary cortisol or cortisone values and age or body mass index. Conclusions: There was no significant difference in salivary cortisol and cortisone levels between non-obese and obese children. Salivary cortisol correlated well with serum cortisol in obese children. Presentation: 6/1/2024

Analgesic Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy before Heel Lance for Pain Management in Healthy Term Neonates: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Currently, the prevention, assessment, and management of procedural pain in neonates continues to challenge clinicians and researchers. Objective. To investigate the analgesic effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) during heel lance compared to breast milk (BM) feeding in healthy term neonates. In this randomized controlled trial, healthy term neonates who underwent heel lance were randomly assigned to an LLLT or a BM group. The LLLT group received laser therapy to the heel lance site for 20 s before heel lance. The BM group received 5 mL expressed BM via a syringe before heel lance. The primary outcomes were behavioral responses. The secondary outcomes were physiological responses and levels of salivary cortisol and α-amylase. A total of 125 neonates were included, of whom 55 in the LLLT group and 59 in the BM group completed the study. There were no significant differences in latency to first cry and cry duration between the two groups. The squeeze time was significantly shorter in the LLLT group than in the BM group (p = 0.047). There were no significant differences in pain scores, heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and blood pressure before and after heel lance between the two groups. There were no significant differences in salivary cortisol and α-amylase levels in the LLLT group before and after heel lance; however, the differences were significant in the BM group. These findings suggest that the analgesic effect of LLLT is similar to that of BM during heel lance in healthy term neonates. LLLT has potential as an analgesic treatment.

Diurnal pattern of salivary alpha-amylase and cortisol under citric acid stimulation in young adults.

BackgroundSaliva composition has diurnal variations. Citric acid stimulation plays a major role in the change of salivary flow rate and salivary composition. However, diurnal variations and sex differences in salivary alpha-amylase (sAA), pH, salivary flow rate (SFR), and salivary cortisol before and after citric acid stimulation remain unclear.MethodsWe recruited 30 healthy volunteers, including 15 women (24.7 ± 1.0 years old) and 15 men (25.3 ± 1.3 years old). At four time points (T1, 7:00; T2, 10:00; T3, 16:00; and T4, 20:00), saliva was collected from healthy volunteers before and after citric acid stimulation; and sAA, pH, SFR and salivary cortisol were measured and compared between men and women.ResultsThere were circadian fluctuations in sAA activity, SFR, pH, and cortisol level both before and after citric acid stimulation, and the diurnal fluctuations of these indexes were not affected by citric acid stimulation. There were significant differences in salivary cortisol between men and women before and after acid stimulation in T1. Neither SFR nor pH showed sex-related differences before or after acid stimulation. The variation trend of sAA activity was contrary to that of cortisol, with a significant negative correlation.ConclusionsOur data suggest that sAA and cortisol showed diurnal fluctuation, and the variation characteristics of male and female under resting state and acid stimulation were basically the same. The variation trend of salivary alpha-amylase activity was opposite to that of cortisol, with significant negative correlation. Our findings may enable the selection of the correct sampling time for research and the selection of appropriate sampling strategies in studies investigating chronic psychosocial conditions.

Effects of Group-delivered Stress-reduction Guided Imagery on Salivary Cortisol, Salivary Amylase, and Stress Mood in Urban, Predominantly Latino Adolescents.

ObjectivesTo determine acute effects of stress-reduction guided imagery delivered in group format on stress biomarkers salivary cortisol and salivary amylase, and on self-reported stress mood, in healthy, predominantly Latino adolescents.Study Design111 adolescent participants (94% Latino), a subset from a large, randomized controlled lifestyle intervention to improve obesity-related health behaviors, received either 4 weekly lifestyle education sessions (Lifestyle group; LS) or the same weekly lifestyle education sessions plus an additional weekly stress-reduction guided imagery session delivered in group format (Guided imagery group; GI). Salivary cortisol, salivary amylase, and self-reported stress moods were assessed before and after sessions on intervention weeks 3 and 4. Statistics: Linear mixed effects models examined within- and between-session and group differences in pre- to post-session changes.ResultsBoth groups showed decreases in salivary cortisol, 5% decrease in LS group and 32% in GI group (within-group differences all P < .05), with between-group difference in salivary cortisol of moderate size (P = .05; Cohen’s d = .44). Within the GI group alone, salivary cortisol decrease was similar following either the lifestyle or GI sessions (P = .64). There were no statistically significant amylase changes within or between groups. All 5 individual stress moods declined by 27% to 46% in the GI group (all P < .05), while only 1 of the 5 declined in LS group.ConclusionsGroup stress-reduction guided imagery reduces the stress biomarker salivary cortisol, as well as reducing subjective stress mood states, making it a viable modality for large scale stress-reduction interventions.

Effects of a tripartite intervention on biological stress in preterm infants during heel pricks for newborn screening: A randomized controlled trial.

This prospective randomized trial examined the effects of a tripartite intervention (behavioral state modulation + nonnutritive sucking + tucking) on stress from procedural pain during heel pricks. Blood samples for routine screening were collected by heel pricks 48 h after birth (Stage 1) and at ≥37 weeks' gestation (Stage 2); salivary cortisol levels (SCLs) pre-prick (T0) and 20 min post-prick (T1) assessed stress. Preterm infants (n = 64) sampled by convenience at Level III neonatal care units were randomly assigned to the control condition (usual care) or intervention condition (tripartite intervention). Generalized estimating equations examined differences in salivary cortisol between conditions. After adjusting for effects of gestational age, postmenstrual age, and baseline SCLs, (1) at Stage 1, the change in salivary cortisol from T0 to T1 in preterm infants who received the tripartite intervention was, on average, significantly lower by 0.431 units (log scale) than the change in preterm infants who received the control condition (p < 0.001); (2) in the tripartite intervention condition, the difference between the change in mean SCLs from T0 to T1 at Stages 1 and 2 was significantly lower by 0.287 units (log scale), on average than between the change at Stages 1 and 2 in the control condition (p = 0.026). The provision of a tripartite intervention during heel prick significantly decreased the raise of SCLs compared with infants receiving usual care, suggesting lower stress. Clinicians could easily implement the tripartite intervention for heel-stick support; however, replication is needed before recommending its incorporation into routine heel stick and other stressful procedures.

The perceived benefit of intraoperative stress modifiers for surgeons: an experimental simulation study in volunteers

BackgroundDuring surgery, surgeons often work under stressful conditions, which could affect patient safety. Reducing intraoperative stress for surgeons could benefit surgeons and subsequently patients. It is difficult to study stress and stress relief in real life situations due to the multitude of confounding factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate simulated intraoperative stressors on surgeons’ stress levels and the effect of an intervention (pause including a sugar-containing drink) during standardized experiments (simulated operations).MethodsAn experimental interventional study was conducted using a simulator. The healthy surgeon volunteers were randomized to intervention and control in a cross-over design. Primary endpoint was salivary cortisol difference between a pause including a sugar containing drink (intervention) and controls. Secondary endpoints were change in heart rate, change in self-perceived stress measured by the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and experience of the intraoperative pause. Endpoints were calculated with a mixed effect analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) model.ResultsSeventeen surgeons performed 32 experiments. There was no statistically significant difference in salivary cortisol between simulations with and without a pause including a sugar-containing drink; percent reduction, 8% (0.92 (95%CI:0.72;1.18)), p-value = 0.469. The surgeons’ self-estimation of intervention was positive, but there was no statistically significant difference in heart rate or STAI.ConclusionsThe surgeons’ experience of a pause including a drink was positive but there were no differences in physiological outcomes of the intervention. Lessons learned from this study could contribute to optimizing design of future studies.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov NCT04626648, Registered November 6, 2020, retrospectively registered.

Therapy Dogs' and Handlers' Behavior and Salivary Cortisol During Initial Visits in a Complex Medical Institution: A Pilot Study.

Therapy dogs provide health benefits for individuals who suffer from illnesses, such as dementia, depression, loneliness, and aggression. Therapy dogs' impact on human health has been thoroughly studied; however, studies on dog welfare have been limited. Additionally, as dogs have evolved with humans, they have learned to read non-verbal social cues. Dogs can read humans' non-verbal body language and can react to their emotions. However, the body language of dogs is poorly understood and can lead to dog owner-directed aggression. Communication plays a vital role to be a cohesive therapy team. The purpose of this study was to assess perceived stress and cortisol concentrations in therapy dogs and their handlers during the first three visits in a hospital setting. Moreover, the study aimed to investigate whether, while in an overstimulating environment, a therapy dog handler can observe his or her dog's body language and correlate such observations to the dog's stress. Nine therapy dog teams from Mayo Clinic's Caring Canine Program participated in this study. A baseline salivary cortisol was collected from the handler and therapy dog each day of the visits. Once the team arrived, a pre-visit salivary cortisol was collected from the handler and therapy dog and, afterward, a post-visit salivary cortisol. Handlers were also asked to fill out a perceived stress survey on their own stress and that of their therapy dogs'. Behavior was documented by a staff member and the handler. For each visit, the therapy dogs were at the hospital on average 47 min and visited with nine people. There was significant correlation (P = 0.02) between the owner's perceived stress of his or her therapy dog and the dog's salivary cortisol concentrations. The handlers noted medium to high stress, and those dogs had higher cortisol concentrations post-visit. There was no significant difference in salivary cortisol for the handler and therapy dog over the course of the three visits and comparing pre- and post-visit. Overall, the dogs displayed mixed behaviors, with the three most reported being panting, lip licking, and yawning. However, salivary cortisol results suggest that the handlers and therapy dogs maintained their welfare state throughout the visits.

Varying Postprandial, Postexercise Nutrient Timing: Effects On Substrate Oxidation And Protein Retention In Resistance-trained Men

Dietary protein and/or carbohydrate consumption augments postexercise recovery by facilitating the rebuilding of damaged contractile tissues and restoring energy reserves, particularly in a postabsorptive state. It is unclear how altering postexercise nutrient timing when in a postprandial state affects the shift towards fat utilization and changes in net protein retention after a resistance training bout. PURPOSE: To examine the effects of immediate versus delayed postexercise nutrient intake on substrate oxidation and protein retention during recovery. METHODS: In a single-blinded, crossover design, resistance trained (≥1 y) men (n=10, 22±2 y, 83±10 kg) consumed a mixed, eucaloric meal 2 hours before performing resistance exercise (3 sets of 6 whole body exercises, 2-3 minutes rest). Participants then consumed one of three postexercise beverages: immediate consumption of a whey protein concentrate (0.35 g/kg) and dextrose (1.0 g/kg) beverage (IMM), delayed consumption (2 h) of a whey and dextrose beverage (+2H), or placebo (flavoring with water) (PLA). Participants recovered (3 h) while expired carbon dioxide and oxygen were analyzed. Carbohydrate and fat oxidation was determined and body protein breakdown was investigated via analyses of salivary cortisol and urinary nitrogen excretion. RESULTS: Nitrogen balance in PLA (-0.02±0.01 g) was significantly lower than +2H (5.21±0.63 g, p=<0.001, ES=11.61) and IMM (5.21±0.64 g) (p=<0.001, ES=11.59) during the three-hour recovery. There were no significant differences in nitrogen balance between IMM and +2H (p=1.0). Carbohydrate oxidation in IMM was significantly higher than +2H at 60 minutes postexercise (0.21±0.13 g/min vs. 0.11±0.12 g/min, respectively; p=0.014). Fat oxidation was higher in +2H than IMM at minute 90 (p>0.05, ES=0.60), minute 120 (p>0.05, ES=0.40), and minute 150 (p>0.05, ES=0.50). There were no significant differences in salivary cortisol among groups (all p=1.0). CONCLUSION: In the postprandial state, +2H promoted higher fat utilization than IMM, whereas IMM promoted greater carbohydrate oxidation earlier in the recovery period. Both interventions resulted in similar net protein retention. Thus, postponing postexercise nutrient intake when in a postprandial state may be implicated in body composition improvements.

Reference intervals of salivary cortisol and cortisone and their diagnostic accuracy in Cushing's syndrome.

The challenge of diagnosing Cushing's syndrome (CS) calls for high precision biochemical screening. This study aimed to establish robust reference intervals for, and compare the diagnostic accuracy of, salivary cortisol and cortisone in late-night samples and after a low-dose (1 mg) dexamethasone suppression test (DST). Saliva samples were collected at 08:00 and 23:00 h, and at 08:00 h, after a DST, from 22 patients with CS and from 155 adult reference subjects. We also collected samples at 20:00 and 22:00 h from 78 of the reference subjects. Salivary cortisol and cortisone were analysed with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The reference intervals were calculated as the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles of the reference population measurements. Diagnostic accuracies of different tests were compared, based on areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curves. The upper reference limits of salivary cortisol and cortisone at 23:00 h were 3.6 nmol/L and 13.5 nmol/L, respectively. Using these reference limits, CS was detected with a sensitivity (95% CI) of 90% (70-99%) and specificity of 96% (91-98%) for cortisol, and a 100% (84-100%) sensitivity and 95% (90-98%) specificity for cortisone. After DST, cortisol and cortisone upper reference limits were 0.79 nmol/L and 3.5 nmol/L, respectively. CS was detected with 95% (75-100%) sensitivity and 96% (92-99%) specificity with cortisol, and 100% (83-100%) sensitivity and 94% (89-97%) specificity with cortisone. No differences in salivary cortisol or cortisone levels were found between samples collected at 22:00 and 23:00 h. Salivary cortisol and cortisone in late-night samples and after DST showed high accuracy for diagnosing CS, salivary cortisone being slightly, but significantly better.

Effect of urban trips on stress and cognitive performance, a study in Bogotá, Colombia

IntroductionUrban commuting can be a stressful experience and may impact cognitive function, a key component of overall health. The purpose of this study was to explore whether the cognitive performance of adults is differentially affected by stress resulting from commuting to study by public transportation or by bicycle in Bogotá, Colombia. MethodsWe designed an experiment in which stress and cognitive performance were systematically measured in seven participants, in triplicate, on separate days, before and after a trip by either public transportation or bicycle (total 6 trips). All participants were asked to complete a Stroop test and provide saliva samples before and after the trips. After-versus-before trip differences in salivary cortisol, weighted time-Stroop and percentage of success in the Stroop were compared between modes by a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using mode of transport and participant as fixed factors. ResultsThe mean change in adjusted Stroop time was similar between modes (1,392±8,379 for bicycle, 889 ms ± 6,675 ms for public transport, p = 0.85). The same occurred with the mean change in the percent of success in the Stroop test (1.39% ±5.16% for bicycle, −0.59±5.79% for public transport, p = 0.83). For percent successes in the Stroop, the p-value for the participant*mode term was p = 0.051. The mean change in salivary cortisol was −0.39±1.69 ng/mL for bicycle and −1.02± 1.97 ng/mL for public transport (p = 0.11). The term associated with inter-individual variability in change in cortisol was significant (p˂0.001). ConclusionsCommuting by bike or public transport induced a comparable effect on biological stress and cognitive performance. It is well-known that biking imparts many positive societal and health effects. Our results additionally show that despite involving physical effort, biking does not induce a larger biological stress response than public transportation.

Sow environment during gestation: part I. Influence on maternal physiology and lacteal secretions in relation with neonatal survival

In pig husbandry, pregnant females are often exposed to stressful conditions, and their outcomes on maternal and offspring health have not been well evaluated. The present study aimed at testing whether improving the welfare of gestating sows could be associated with a better maternal health during gestation, changes in the composition of lacteal secretions and improvement in piglet survival. Two contrasted group-housing systems for gestating sows were used, that is, a French conventional system on slatted floor (C, 49 sows) and an enriched system using larger pens on deep straw (E, 57 sows). On the 105th days of gestation (DG105), sows were transferred into identical farrowing crates on slatted floor. Saliva was collected from all sows on DG35, DG105 and DG107. Blood samples were collected on DG105 from all sows and on the 1st day of lactation (DL1) from a subset of them (C, n=18; E, n=19). Colostrum and milk samples were collected from this subset of sows at farrowing (DL0) and DL4. Saliva concentration of cortisol was greater in C than in E sows at DG35 and DG105, and dropped to concentrations comparable to E sows after transfer into farrowing crates (DG107). On DG105, plasma concentrations of haptoglobin, immunoglobulins G (IgG) and A (IgA), blood lymphocyte counts and plasma antioxidant potential did not differ between groups (P > 0.10), whereas blood granulocyte count, and plasma hydroperoxide concentration were lower in E than in C sows (P < 0.05). Concentrations of IgG and IgA in colostrum and milk did not differ between the two groups. The number of cells did not differ in colostrum but was greater in milk from E than C sows (P < 0.05). Pre-weaning mortality rates were lower in E than C piglets (16.7% v. 25.8%, P < 0.001), and especially between 12 and 72 h postpartum (P < 0.001). Plasma concentration of IgG was similar in E and C piglets on DL4. In conclusion, differences in salivary cortisol, blood granulocyte count and oxidative stress markers between groups suggested improved welfare and reduced immune solicitation during late gestation in sows of the E compared with the C system. However, the better survival observed for neonates in the E environment could not be explained by variations in colostrum composition.

Assisted Physical Exercise and Stress in Preterm Neonates

To evaluate the markers of stress before and after a session of assisted physical exercise in infants born before 35 weeks' gestation. 25 infants born at 280/7 to 346/7 weeks were subjected to assisted physical exercise daily for about 10-15 min at one week of postnatal age or 33 weeks of post menstrual age, whichever was later. Primary outcome was salivary cortisol and secondary outcome was Premature infant pain profile (PIPP) score. Outcomes were measured, on day 5 (±1) of exercise. There was no difference in salivary cortisol between baseline and immediately after (P=0.16), at 90 min (P=0.6) or 120 min (P=0.7) after exercise. Salivary cortisol was lower at 30 min after exercise as compared to baseline (mean difference -0.08 µg/dL; 95% CI -0.16 to -0.002; P=0.04). The median (IQR) PIPP score was significantly higher at 5 min into exercise (4 (3-6) vs 4 (3-5); P=0.04) and at completion of exercise 6 (4-8) vs 4 (3-5); P<0.01), as compared to baseline. Assisted physical exercise does not seem to result in stress in premature infants.

Characterization of the serum and salivary cortisol response to the intravenous 250 µg ACTH1-24 stimulation test.

The ACTH1-24 stimulation test is commonly used to assess the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Given variations in CBG concentration and binding affinity, serum total cortisol may misclassify some patients. Salivary cortisol correlates well with serum free cortisol but is easier to measure and widely available in commercial laboratories. The aim of this study was to investigate the utility of measuring salivary cortisol during the ACTH1-24 stimulation test. Case-control study in a clinical research facility. Eighty-seven patients with suspected cortisol deficiency, twenty-four healthy controls, and ten healthy women on the oral contraceptive (OC) underwent an intravenous 250 µg ACTH1-24 stimulation test. Concordance of ACTH1-24 stimulated serum and salivary cortisol was evaluated. There was a significant difference in serum cortisol between the healthy volunteers and the women on the OC (P < 0.001) but no difference in salivary cortisol. The lower limit of the reference interval for salivary cortisol at 60 min was 26 nmol/L. 27/89 (30%) of tests with suspected HPA axis disorder failed the 60 min serum cortisol cut-off of 500 nmol/L. Of these, 24/27 (89%) had a salivary cortisol of <26 nmol/L. In contrast, 12/19 (63%) tests and 5/43 (12%) tests where the 60 min serum cortisol was 500-599 and ≥600 nmol/L, respectively had a salivary cortisol of <26 nmol/L. Salivary cortisol provides additional diagnostic value during the 250 µg ACTH1-24 stimulation test in patients with proven or suspected alterations in CBG and potentially those with a borderline 60 min serum cortisol 500-599 nmol/L.

Sex differences in salivary cortisol reactivity to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST): A meta-analysis

Some, but not all studies using the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) have demonstrated evidence in support of sex differences in salivary cortisol. The aim of the current meta-analysis is to examine sex differences in salivary cortisol following exposure to the TSST. We further explored the effects of modifications to the TSST protocol and procedural variations as potential moderators. We searched articles published from January, 1993 to February, 2016 in MedLine, PsychINFO, and ProQuest Theses and Dissertations. This meta-analysis is based on 34 studies, with a total sample size of 1350 individuals (640 women and 710 men). Using a random effects model, we found significant heterogeneity in salivary cortisol output across sexes, such that men were observed to have higher cortisol values at peak and recovery following the TSST compared to women. Modifications to the sampling trajectory of cortisol (i.e., duration of acclimation, peak sampling time, and duration of recovery) significantly moderated the heterogeneity across both sexes. Further, there are observed sex differences at various time points of the reactive cortisol following the TSST. Lastly, current results suggest that these sex differences can be, at least in part, attributed to variations in methodological considerations across studies. Future research could advance this line of inquiry by using other methods of analyses (e.g., area under the curve; AUC), in order to better understand the effects of methodological variations and their implications for research design.

Music therapy-induced changes in salivary cortisol level are predictive of cardiovascular mortality in patients under maintenance hemodialysis

BackgroundMusic therapy has been applied in hemodialysis (HD) patients for relieving mental stress. Whether the stress-relieving effect by music therapy is predictive of clinical outcome in HD patients is still unclear.MethodsWe recruited a convenience sample of 99 patients on maintenance HD and randomly assigned them to the experimental (n=49) or control (n=50) group. The experimental group received relaxing music therapy for 1 week, whereas the control group received no music therapy. In the experimental group, we compared cardiovascular mortality in the patients with and without cortisol changes.ResultsThe salivary cortisol level was lowered after 1 week of music therapy in the experimental group (−2.41±3.08 vs 1.66±2.11 pg/mL, P<0.05), as well as the frequency of the adverse reaction score (−3.35±5.76 vs −0.81±4.59, P<0.05), the severity of adverse reactions score (−1.93±2.73 vs 0.33±2.71, P<0.05), and hemodialysis stressor scale (HSS) score (−6.00±4.68 vs −0.877±7.08, P<0.05). The difference in salivary cortisol correlated positively with HD stress score scales (r=0.231, P<0.05), systolic blood pressure (r=0.264, P<0.05), and respiratory rates (r=0.369, P<0.05) and negatively with finger temperature (r=−0.235, P<0.05) in the total study population. The 5-year cardiovascular survival in the experimental group was higher in patients whose salivary cortisol lowered by <0.6 pg/mL than that in patients whose salivary cortisol lowered by >0.6 pg/mL (83.8% vs 63.6%, P<0.05).ConclusionProviding music during HD is an effective complementary therapy to relieve the frequency and severity of adverse reactions, as well as to lower salivary cortisol levels. Differences in salivary cortisol after music therapy may predict cardiovascular mortality in patients under maintenance HD.

Evaluation of Salivary Cortisol Changes and Psychological Profiles in Patients with Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis.

Background and Objective:Some studies suggest that psychological condition and stress can play role in the development of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). The purpose of this study was to evaluate salivary cortisol changes and psychological conditions in patients with RAS.Materials and Methods:Twenty-seven patients (13 males and 14 females, mean age of 32.8 (±10.2) years) with minor RAS and 27 age- and sex-matched controls without RAS participated in this study. The concentration of cortisol (nanomole/L) was measured in samples of unstimulated saliva from patients and controls two times; once during the presence of active lesions and once again when the lesions had healed by immunologic assay. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was employed to determine psychological condition. Visual analog scale for pain severity was recorded for patients with active lesions episode. Data were analyzed by the SPSS software (version 18.0) using paired and unpaired t-tests and Pearson correlation coefficient.Results:Salivary cortisol level was lower in patients during active lesions (12.4 ± 5.1) and healing (10.5 ± 3.9) episodes compared to the controls (13.1 ± 3.6) (P = 0.583, P = 0.015; respectively). There was no significant difference in salivary cortisol between active lesions and healing episodes (P = 0.943). Anxiety and depression represented no significant differences between active lesions and healing episodes (P > 0.05). Anxiety and depression levels in patients were significantly higher than in controls (P < 0.05). Pain severity in active lesions was not significantly correlated to salivary cortisol level, and anxiety or depression scores (P > 0.05).Conclusion:The findings showed that occurrence of RAS was associated with anxiety and depression but not with alterations of salivary cortisol level.

Meditation in Stressed Older Adults: Improvements in self-rated mental health not paralleled by improvements in cognitive function or physiological measures.

To determine if mindfulness meditation (MM) in older adults improves cognition and, secondarily, if MM improves mental health and physiology, 134 at least mildly stressed 50-85 year olds were randomized to a six-week MM intervention or a waitlist control. Outcome measures were assessed at baseline and two months later at Visit 2. The primary outcome measure was an executive function/attentional measure (flanker task). Other outcome measures included additional cognitive assessments, salivary cortisol, respiratory rate, heart rate variability, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CESD), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Neuroticism-Extraversion-Openness (NEO) personality traits, and SF-36 health-related quality of life. 128 participants completed the study though Visit 2 assessments. There was no significant change in the primary or other cognitive outcome measures. Even after statistical adjustment for multiple outcomes, self-rated measures related to negative affect and stress were all significantly improved in the MM intervention compared to wait-list group (PANAS-negative, CESD, PSS, and SF-36 health-related quality of life Vitality and Mental Health Component). The SF-36 Mental Health Component score improved more than the minimum clinically important difference. There were also significant changes in personality traits such as Neuroticism. Changes in positive affect were not observed. There were no group differences in salivary cortisol, or heart rate variability. These moderate sized improvements in self-rated measures were not paralleled by improvements in cognitive function or physiological measures. Potential explanations for this discrepancy in stress-related outcomes are discussed to help improve future studies.

Effect of anti-gonadotropin-releasing factor vaccine and band castration on indicators of welfare in beef cattle.

Angus crossbred bulls (n = 60; 257 ± 5.4 d of age; initial BW 358.8 ± 3.78 kg) were used to study the effect of a vaccine against gonadotropin-releasing factor (GnRF) and band castration on behavioral and physiological indicators of pain. Cattle were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: bulls, band-castrated calves without pain mitigation (castrated), and immune-vaccinated animals administered an anti-GnRF vaccine (vaccinated). All animals were fitted with a radio frequency ear tag so that individual animal feed intake and feeding behavior were recorded daily over the entire trial using an electronic feed bunk monitoring system. Two doses of anti-GnRF vaccine were administrated on d -35 and 0 and band castration was performed on d 0. Animal BW was recorded weekly starting on d -36 until d 56. Visual analog scores (VAS) were measured on d -36 -35, -1, and 0, and salivary cortisol concentration was measured at -30, 0, 30, 60, 120, and 270 min on d -35 and 0 after castration. Saliva and blood were obtained on d 1, 2, 5, and 7 and weekly until d 56 for determination of cortisol and complete blood cell count. Video data were collected for pain, sexual, and aggressive behavior daily the first week and once a week until d 56. Data were analyzed with a mixed-effect model with castration, time, and their interactions as main effects. Vaccinated calves had reduced ADG and intake (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively) during the first week after vaccination. Band-castrated calves had reduced ADG and intake (P < 0.001) until the end of the study. No differences in salivary cortisol and VAS were observed among groups at d -35 after the first vaccination and before band castration. However, on d 0, castrated cattle had greater cortisol concentrations and VAS (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively) than bulls and vaccinated animals. Complete blood cell count did not differ (P > 0.05) between treatments on d 0, 1, and 2. At d 56, vaccinated calves had greater (P < 0.05) final BW than band-castrated calves and both had less final BW than bulls. There was no indication that vaccination caused any physiological or behavioral changes indicative of pain. In contrast, band castration resulted in elevated cortisol scores and VAS indicative of a pain response and behavior related to pain (P < 0.001) until d 42 of the study. The present study demonstrates that anti-GnRF vaccine is a viable animal welfare-friendly alternative to traditional band castration in beef cattle under North American feedlot practices.

Effects of season, age, sex, and housing on salivary cortisol concentrations in horses

Analysis of salivary cortisol is increasingly used to assess stress responses in horses. Because spontaneous or experimentally induced increases in cortisol concentrations are often relatively small for stress studies, proper controls are needed. This requires an understanding of the factors affecting salivary cortisol over longer times. In this study, we have analyzed salivary cortisol concentration for 6 mo in horses (n = 94) differing in age, sex, reproductive state, and housing. Salivary cortisol followed a diurnal rhythm with the highest concentrations in the morning and a decrease throughout the day (P < 0.001). This rhythm was disrupted in individual groups on individual days; however, alterations remained within the range of diurnal changes. Comparison between months showed highest cortisol concentrations in December (P < 0.001). Cortisol concentrations increased in breeding stallions during the breeding season (P < 0.001). No differences in salivary cortisol concentrations between nonpregnant mares with and without a corpus luteum existed. In stallions, mean daily salivary cortisol and plasma testosterone concentrations were weakly correlated (r = 0.251, P < 0.01). No differences in salivary cortisol between female and male young horses and no consistent differences between horses of different age existed. Group housing and individual stabling did not affect salivary cortisol. In conclusion, salivary cortisol concentrations in horses follow a diurnal rhythm and are increased in active breeding sires. Time of the day and reproductive state of the horses are thus important for experiments that include analysis of cortisol in saliva.