Marker Of Acute Stress Research Articles

STUDY OF PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL VARIATIONS IN POPULATION GROUPS UNDERGOING ACUTE OR CHRONIC STRESS

Objective: Stress arises from derangements of personal and professional activities. The basic reason is changes in lifestyle and psychosocial adaptations. Life becomes demanding, complicated, mechanical, and devoid of health. In today’s modern world, occupational stress has become the major factor for loss of health and peacefulness of mind. Methods: This is an observational descriptive study which was conducted in a group of 84 people between 25 and 60 years of age to study the association of acute stress on salivary amylase level and effect of chronic stress on lipid profile, glycosylated hemoglobin and certain inflammatory markers in people representing different forms of stress. Three groups of the population were studied. Group 1 (n=20) - Patients undergoing any elective surgery (abdominal/genitourinary) or an invasive diagnostic procedure (upper GI endoscopy, lymph node biopsy) Group 2 (n=32) – High/middle socio-economic male or female working for ≥8 h/day with or without stress. Group 3 (n=32) – Low socioeconomic male or female earning <100 Rs/day with or without stress. Salivary alpha-amylase and chromogranin A (CgA) levels are good markers of stress. Results: There was increased levels of cortisol (p<0.0001), alpha amylase (p<0.01), and decreased levels of CgA (p<0.001) pre-procedure period as a marker of acute stress. In the chronic stress group of low income as well as high-income status, glycosylated hemoglobin, and blood lipid profile in both males and females were significantly deranged. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-2 were significantly raised in both groups. Serum ferritin level was low in the low socioeconomic group but normal in the high socioeconomic group. Conclusion: Salivary amylase level was raised in acute stress and there is a direct correlation of chronic stress with high low-density lipoprotein/ high-density lipoprotein ratio, raised glycosylated Hemoglobin, serum MDA, IL-1, 2 levels irrespective of economic group.

Hormonal and psychological influences on performance anxiety in adolescent female volleyball players: a multi-approach study.

The neuroendocrine system has important implications for affiliation behavior among humans and can be used to assess the correlation between social relationships, stress, and health. This can be influenced by social closeness; this aspect is the closeness towards another individual or a group of individuals such as a sports team. Sports performance anxiety is considered an unpleasant emotional reaction composed of physiological, cognitive, affective, and behavioral components. This motivates us to learn about the process that can influence the outcome of competition. Hormones and genetics would seem to influence outcome and performance. In this regard, many studies have focused on the exercise response as a function of ovarian hormones and it has been observed that progesterone is a hormone that plays a key role in reducing anxiety, and thus stress, in humans and other animals. On the other hand, high cortisol concentrations are known to contribute to increased anxiety levels. However, the salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) enzyme has been suggested as marker of acute stress than cortisol. Genetics also seem to influence anxiety and stress management as in the case of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and striatal dopamine transporter (DAT). Therefore, the study aims to investigate social closeness, as a measure of sports team cohesion that can influence athletes' performance results, and its ability to influence the secretion of hormones, such as progesterone and cortisol, that affect the management of sports anxiety while also taking into account genetic background during a volleyball match. Twenty-six female volleyball players who volunteered participated in this study (mean ± SD: age, 12.07 ± 0.7 years), and played in the final of the provincial volleyball championship in Palermo. All girls were during the ovarian cycle, in detail between the follicular and early ovulatory phases. The results showed a significant decrease in salivary cortisol only in the winning group (p < 0.039). In fact, whilst in the latter the pre-match level was 7.7 ng/ml and then decreased to 4.5 ng/ml after the match, in the losers group change was not statistically significant (7.8 ng/ml vs 6.6 ng/ml pre- and post-match). As to the sAA concentration, the winning team showed a statistically significant variation between pre- and post-match than the losers (166.01 ± 250 U/ml vs 291.59 ± 241 U/ml) (p = 0.01). Analyzing the results of the SAS-2 psychological test it is highlighted that, on average, the loser group was more anxious than the winning group, and this contributed to the final result. In conclusion, there is strong evidence supporting the state of the art that many factors can affect performance anxiety and thus the performance itself.

Serum levels of cortisol, adrenaline, noradrenaline, glucose and platelet counts in cats depending on the behavioural assessment of acute stress

The aim of this study was to combine the estimated intensity of acute stress experienced by cats in the veterinary clinic with the assessment of serum cortisol, adrenaline, noradrenaline, glucose and platelet counts. The authors aimed to answer the question of whether the generally known acute stress markers correlate with the degree of stress experienced by cats in the veterinary clinic. Fifty clinically healthy cats were studied. Behavioural assessment of stress was performed according to the modified criteria indicated by Kessler and Turner under conditions of minimal stress recommended for veterinary medicine. Serum levels of cortisol, adrenaline, noradrenaline, glucose and platelet count were determined by recognized and commonly used methods. The cats examined in the clinic were divided into 3 groups according tothe type of stress reaction. In 8 (16%) cats, the behaviour was “relaxed”, 25 (50%) cats showed “tense” stress reactions, and in 17 (34%) cats, strong reactions of fear were noted. Serum levels of cortisol, adrenaline, noradrenaline, glucose and platelet count differed between the groups, but the differences were not statistically significant and did not correlate with the degree of acute stress in cats. It is concluded that a large number of cats (84%) experience stress in the clinic and that the working methods of veterinary teams should be further improved to minimize it. When cats exhibit less fear during veterinary examinations, their owners are more likely to schedule examinations, and veterinarians are more likely to obtain accurate measures during the examination, which improves the overall welfare of the cat. Another conclusion is that the biochemical parameters tested did not meet the conditions to be treated as measures of acute stress in cats. Therefore, further research is needed to find indicators associated with the degree of acute stress in cats.

Insights from Evidence-Based Medicine Method for Building Security Systems Against Terrorist Attacks in Hospitals.

Hospitals have become soft targets for terrorism, with increasing terrorist attacks observed in the last two decades. Not only the counter-terrorism and law enforcement agencies but the hospitals also need to be actively involved and undertake the responsibility of safeguarding hospital security by establishing an effective security system. Evidence-based medicine emphasizes the significance of scientific evidence, and in practice, research methods for the generation, collection, and utilization of evidence may offer new insights to overcome the issue of terrorism. The present study discusses the potential application of methods in evidence-based medicine for developing security systems against terrorist attacks in hospitals. First, hospitals can use simulated scenarios of terrorist attacks to generate evidence. For example, combining virtual technology with virtual reality technology and selecting appropriate algorithms or models to generate evidence. Second, they can apply tabletop exercises to propose measures, as a means of collecting evidence. The collection of data can be obtained through questionnaires or interviews. Some biological methods, such as collecting salivary markers of acute stress (α-amylase and secretory immunoglobulin A), can also be used to assess emotional states. Third, they can use the collected evidence to practically test and refine the implemented measures. To verify the effectiveness and feasibility of the formulated solutions in real-life scenarios, simulations, models, drills, and similar methods can be used. This approach may provide new perspectives for the development of hospital security systems.

Can a Virtual Reality Training Scenario Elicit Similar Stress Response as a Realistic Scenario-Based Training Scenario?

One key feature for scenario-based training is introducing stressful, realistic scenarios for trainees. Some law enforcement agencies have begun using virtual reality systems to provide scenario training for their officers. Therefore, the current study was conducted to assess if a virtual reality training scenario can elicit a similar stress response as a realistic scenario-based training scenario. The independent groups quasi-experiment collected salivary markers of acute stress (α-amylase and secretory immunoglobulin A) prior to, and immediately following, either an in-person scenario-based training exercise (n=31) or a virtual reality scenario (n=27) based on the in-person exercise. Difference-in-difference and two-way ANOVA tests were performed. Overall, participants exposed to the virtual reality scenario experienced a similar stress response to the realistic in-person scenario-based training exercise. Implications for law enforcement agencies are discussed to hopefully move police training forward.

Use of tissue chromogranin A as chronic and acute stress marker in fish

Chromogranin A (CgA) has recently reported as stress marker in superior vertebrates. It is stored in granules of the chromaffin tissue and released to the bloodstream from the adrenal medulla and pituitary after stress situations. The objective of this work was to study the chromogranin A variation for acute and chronic stress in fish, aiming at determining if those proteins could be suitable stress markers. A chronic stress experiment was conducted consisting of two treatments, stressed and control meagres (Argyrosomus regius) for 6 months. The stressed groups were submitted to confinement and netting/chasing stress. The control group tanks were not disturbed along the experiment. A complementary acute stress challenge was performed exposing control fish to air for 3 min. Fish were sampled for blood, tissues and biometry. Plasma lactate and cortisol increased significantly after acute stress although glucose and proteins remained stable, and kidney cortisol and brain adrenaline were significantly higher. Kidney CgA decreased significantly in the acute stressed fish though brain CgA did not change. Final weight and length, growth and condition index were significantly lower in chronically stressed fish, though survival rate was not different between treatments. Plasma markers did not change significantly though kidney cortisol increased in chronically stressed fish. Brain noradrenaline was lower in chronically stressed fish. Both brain and kidney CgA concentrations decreased in stressed (chronic and acute) fish. Concluding, only kidney CgA and cortisol kept the same variation pattern in both stress types. Although cortisol concentrations in plasma and tissues have been widely studied, the tissue CgA concentrations related to stress have not still reported in fish. Initially, the depletion of kidney CgA could be considered as a chronic stress marker though it needs to be supported by future research.

Effects of nitric oxide modulators and antioxidants on endocrine and cellular markers of acute stress in rats

The effects of nitric oxide modulators (NO-modulators) and antioxidants on acute (RSx1) restraint stress induced endocrine, cellular and oxidative/nitrosative stress markers was studied in Wistar rats. The results of our study revealed that exposure to RS(x1) enhanced malondialdehyde (MDA), heat shock protein (HSP-70), corticosterone, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) levels and suppressed glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total nitrites and nitrates (NOx) levels. NO precursor and NO synthase inhibitors were found to differentially modulate stress mechanisms, by altering NF-κB, HSP-70 and corticosterone levels. l-Ascorbic acid significantly suppressed acute stress induced elevation of NF-κB and HSP-70 levels depicting protective effects, as also evidenced by reversal of elevated plasma corticosterone levels. Therefore, modulation of oxidative and nitrosative pathways, offers an approach in modulating stress induced changes associated with various disorders.

The Markers of Stress in Swine Oral Fluid.

IntroductionThe study measured the hormonal and protein markers of acute stress, those of oxidative stress and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in swine oral fluid, determined which of these parameters would be the most appropriate for future livestock welfare assessment and established the time when the samples should be taken.Material and MethodsStress was induced in 7 out of 14 castrated six-week-old Danbred×Duroc pigs by immobilisation on a nasal snare at 8 a.m., 1 p.m., and 6 p.m. and samples were taken both directly after the stressor was applied and 30 min later. The remaining pigs were the control group, which were not immobilised; their samples were taken at the same times. The concentrations of hormones and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, while those of alpha-amylase and TAC were measured using spectrophotometry.ResultsThe levels of cortisol and cortisone increased with statistical significance immediately after the acute stress response and 30 min later. A cut-off value set at 0.25 ng/mL cortisol concentration was capable of distinguishing between the stressed and control groups with 100% accuracy in evening samples and 95% accuracy overall. Prednisolone was not present, and the levels of testosterone and corticosterone were low and not distinctive. Alpha-amylase became significantly more concentrated during stress induction and 30 min later. The TAC and MDA levels rose after the stress but without statistical significance.ConclusionThe most suitable markers of acute stress were cortisol, cortisone and alpha-amylase. Oral fluid is a reliable material for monitoring the level of pigs’ stress and should be collected in the evening.

Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number Adaptation as a Biological Response Derived from an Earthquake at Intrauterine Stage.

An altered mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) at birth can be a marker of increased disease susceptibility later in life. Gestational exposure to acute stress, such as that derived from the earthquake experienced on 19 September 2017 in Mexico City, could be associated with changes in mtDNAcn at birth. Our study used data from the OBESO (Biochemical and Epigenetic Origins of Overweight and Obesity) perinatal cohort in Mexico City. We compared the mtDNAcn in the umbilical cord blood of 22 infants born before the earthquake, 24 infants whose mothers were pregnant at the time of the earthquake (exposed), and 37 who were conceived after the earthquake (post-earthquake). We quantified mtDNAcn by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction normalized with a nuclear gene. We used a linear model adjusted by maternal age, body mass index, socioeconomic status, perceived stress, and pregnancy comorbidities. Compared to non-exposed newborns (mean ± SD mtDNAcn: 0.740 ± 0.161), exposed and post-earthquake newborns (mtDNAcn: 0.899 ± 0.156 and 0.995 ± 0.169, respectively) had increased mtDNAcn, p = 0.001. The findings of this study point at mtDNAcn as a potential biological marker of acute stress and suggest that experiencing an earthquake during pregnancy or before gestation can have programing effects in the unborn child. Long-term follow-up of newborns to women who experience stress prenatally, particularly that derived from a natural disaster, is warranted.

Copeptin response to hypoglycemic stress is linked to prolactin activation in children.

The physiological role of arginine vasopressin (AVP) in the acute stress response in humans and especially in children is unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the interaction between copeptin, a well-established surrogate marker of AVP release, and anterior pituitary hormone activation in response to acute hypoglycemic stress in children and adolescents. We conducted an exploratory single center study involving 77 children and adolescents undergoing insulin-induced hypoglycemia. Blood levels of copeptin, ACTH, cortisol, GH, prolactin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), adrenaline and noradrenaline were determined at baseline and after insulin-induced hypoglycemia. Basal plasma levels of copeptin (median: 5.2pmol/L) increased significantly after hypoglycemia (median 9.7pmol/L; P < 0.0001). Subjects with insufficient HPA axis response or severe GH deficiency had lower hypoglycemia-induced copeptin increase (median: 2.3pmol/L) compared with individuals with intact pituitary response (median: 5.2pmol/L, P = 0.02). Copeptin increase correlated significantly with the maximal increase of ACTH (rs = 0.30; P = 0.010), cortisol (rs = 0.33; P = 0.003), prolactin (rs = 0.25; P = 0.03), IL-6 (rs = 0.35; P = 0.008) and with BMI-SDS (rs = - 0.28, P = 0.01). In multivariate regression analysis, prolactin increase was the only independent variable associated with copeptin increase (P = 0.0004). Our data indicate that: (1) hypoglycemic stress elicits a marked copeptin response in children and adolescents, pointing out its role as an acute stress marker in this population; (2) stress-induced AVP/copeptin release is associated with anterior pituitary activation, mainly a prolactin response.

Changes in Saliva Analytes Correlate with Horses' Behavioural Reactions to An Acute Stressor: A Pilot Study.

Simple SummaryEmotionality is an individual characteristic defined as the propensity to respond to stress-inducing stimuli such as fear-inducing objects or social separation. Evaluation of emotionality in horses is important as it may impact their learning performance. Although emotionality is usually assessed by measuring behavioural patterns, biomarkers could provide additional information about stress response, especially with respect to its temporal dynamics. In this study, behavioural responses were measured as well as a panel of salivary biomarkers related to stress, including salivary alpha-amylase, lipase, total esterase, butyrylcholinesterase, adenosine deaminase, and cortisol, in riding horses after acute experimental stress (the sudden opening of an umbrella). We found significant changes in most of the salivary biomarkers evaluated after the induced stress, where increases in butyrylcholinesterase were more closely related to behavioural responses to acute stress and low salivary alpha-amylase values were more closely related to quietness behaviours. Therefore, this preliminary research provides information about the relationship between behaviour patterns and biomarkers of stress in saliva in horses, and opens the possibility of wider use of selected biomarkers in saliva, such as butyrylcholinesterase or alpha-amylase, for the evaluation of acute stress in horses.Acute stress induces an array of behavioural reactions in horses that vary between individuals. Attempts to relate behavioural patterns and physiological responses have not always given clear-cut results. Here, we measured the changes in a panel of salivary components: salivary alpha-amylase (sAA), lipase, total esterase (TEA), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), adenosine deaminase (ADA), and cortisol, and their potential link with horses’ behaviours after acute stress. Saliva samples were collected in nine riding horses subjected to a test consisting of opening an umbrella. Saliva sampling was obtained at a basal time point in the stall (T1), in the test indoor arena (T2), at a time of stress (T3), and 30 min (T4) and 60 min (T5) later. The horses’ behaviour was recorded at T3 for 1 min. sAA, lipase, TEA, and BChE showed significant changes along time, increasing at T3 for BChE, and decreasing at T4 for sAA and BChE. Butyrylcholinesterase appeared to be the most reliable predictor of behavioural responses, as it correlated with the index of emotionality, of laterality, and the occurrence of alarm signals, while sAA decreased when horses expressed quieter behaviours. These first results bring promising lines for novel, more precise physiological markers of acute stress in horses that can bridge the gap between behaviour and physiology.

Determination of corticosterone from rat hair samples by HPLC-MS method

Abstract Corticosterone is an adrenocortical steroid hormone with glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid effects. Based on previous studies, the plasma level of corticosterone correlates with the stress exposure of rodents. Because the half-life of corticosterone in blood is short, its plasma concentration can be used as an acute stress marker. But hair is accumulating the systemic and locally produced corticosterone, therefore it can be used to study chronic stress. However, the accurate quantification of corticosterone is an analytical challenge owing to the very low amount of hormone found in a complicated biological matrix. The high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) can provide the required selectivity and sensitivity for this purpose. Currently published methods for corticosterone quantification involve complicated sample preparation and long run time. Accordingly, the aims of the study were to simplify the extraction method of the corticosterone from rat hair samples and to develop an optimized HPLC-MS method for the accurate quantification. The rat hair samples were washed with methanol, dried and cut, then extracted with methanol at room temperature for 24 hours. The lipids were precipitated with formic acid aqueous solution and eliminated by centrifugation. The corticosterone was separated from other compounds with reverse phase chromatography using acetonitrile and 0,1% aqueous solution of formic acid as mobile phase. The detection was performed in positive SIM mode measuring the 347 m/z molecular ion. A six point calibration was performed in the range of 0,5-20 ng/ml, the accuracy was tested with quality control samples at two different concentration level. The total run time is only 4,2 minutes and the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) is 0,5 ng/ml, with 10 pg absolute sensitivity. By determining the quantity of the hormone for a well-defined hair region, based on the speed of hair growth, we can characterize the retrospective stress exposure of the animals in different conditions.

MON-441 Copeptin Response to Acute Hypoglycemia in Children and Adolescents

Introduction: Copeptin is a surrogate biomarker of vasopressin (AVP) and a well established stress marker in different acute clinical scenarios. Copeptin stimulation by acute hypoglycemia has been shown in the adult population and accurately identifies patients with posterior pituitary dysfunction. The role of AVP in the acute stress response remains to be defined and an interaction between AVP secretion and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation in response to hypoglycemia has been suggested, requiring further confirmation. Objectives: The aims of this study were to evaluate copeptin response to acute hypoglycemia in children and adolescents and to assess its potential association with other parameters of the counter-regulatory and inflammatory responses. Methods: This is a prospective single-center study involving 77 children and adolescents (mean age; 11.2 ± 3.1years; 58 males/19 females) undergoing insulin-tolerance test. Results: Baseline plasma copeptin levels (median: 5.2pmol/L, IQR: 3.9-7.7pmol/L) increased significantly after hypoglycemia (median: 9.7pmol/L, IQR: 5.8-14.3pmol/L) (P<0.0001). Counter-regulatory hormones - ACTH, cortisol, growth hormone, prolactin, adrenaline and noradrenaline - and inflammatory markers - IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF - also significantly increased after hypoglycemia (P<0.0001 for all measurements). Copeptin increment correlated significantly with the maximal increases of ACTH (rs:0.30; P: 0.010), cortisol (rs:0.33; P:0.003), prolactin (rs:0.25; P:0.03) and IL-6 (rs:0.35; P:0.008), and with BMI-SDS (rs:-0.28, P:0.01). In stepwise multivariate regression analysis, prolactin was the only independent variable that correlated with copeptin increment (P:0.009). Conclusion: Acute hypoglycemia elicits a significant copeptin response in children and adolescents, confirming the role of copeptin as an acute stress marker in the pediatric population. Interactions between stress-induced AVP/copeptin activation and the HPA axis, IL-6 inflammatory response and BMI were suggested by univariate analyses, although not confirmed by the multivariate analysis. Nevertheless, our data indicate that AVP/copeptin secretion during hypoglycemic stress may be linked to prolactin co-activation as prolactin maximal increase was the only variable independently related to copeptin response, reinforcing the concept that AVP/copeptin might act as a prolactin releasing factor in humans.

Climate variability and life history impact stress, thyroid, and immune markers in California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) during El Niño conditions

Wildlife is exposed to a diverse set of extrinsic and intrinsic stressors, such as climatic variation or life history constraints, which may impact individual health and fitness. El Niño and climatic anomalies between 2013 and 2016 had major ecological impacts on the California Current ecosystem. As top marine predators, California sea lions (CSL) experienced decreased prey availability and foraging success, impacting their nutritional state. We hypothesize that chronic stress to juvenile CSL increased during the 2015-2016 El Niño and that breeding represents a period of chronic stress for adults, which impact a variety of physiological processes. We opportunistically captured and sampled juvenile CSL (female, n =29; male, n =38) in central California and adult male CSL (n =76) in Astoria, Oregon and quantified a suite of analytes in serum as indicators of acute stress markers, metabolism and thyroid function, and adaptive immune response. We found that stress hormones and glucose were decreased in juvenile CSL during 2016 relative to 2015 and in adult male CSL after the breeding season, which may indicate chronic stress downregulating HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis sensitivity with associated metabolic impacts. Conversely, thyroid hormones for both juvenile and adult male CSL were increased, suggesting greater energetic requirements resulting from increased foraging activity during suboptimal conditions in juveniles and breeding tenure in adult males. Immunoglobulin IgG was elevated in juveniles in 2016 but reduced in adult males post-breeding. This suggests that juveniles may face immunostimulatory pressure during anomalously warm ocean environments; however, for adult males, breeding is a significant energetic cost resulting in reductions to immune function. Our results indicate that environmental conditions and life history stage may influence physiological responses in an important marine predator and a sentinel species of changing ocean ecosystems.

Influence of different sample preparation strategies on the proteomic identification of stress biomarkers in porcine saliva

BackgroundThe influence of two different sample treatments comprising the enrichment of glycoproteins by boronic acid and dynamic range compression by hexapeptide libraries, on the detection of stress markers in saliva of pigs was evaluated in this study. For this purpose, saliva samples collected before and after the application of an acute stress model consisting of nasal restraining in pigs were processed without any treatment and with the two different treatments mentioned above. Protein separation by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) followed by identification of proteins using MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry (MS) was used as proteomic technique.ResultsThe application of each of the two different sample treatment protocols allowed the identification of unique proteins that could be potential salivary acute stress markers in pigs: lipocalin 1, protein S100-A8 and immunoglobulin M by enrichment of glycoproteins; protein S100-A9, double headed protease inhibitor submandibular gland, and haemoglobin by dynamic range compression; and protein S100-A12 by both protocols. Salivary lipocalin, prolactin inducible protein, light chain of immunoglobulins, adenosine deaminase and carbonic anhydrase VI were identified as potential markers in untreated saliva as well as one of the other treatments.ConclusionThe use of different procedures allowed the detection of different potential stress markers. Although from a practical point of view, the use of saliva without further treatment as well as the enrichment of glycoproteins are less expensive and easy to do procedures.

Frontal EEG Asymmetry Differs between High and Low Trait Anxious Individuals as a Function of Lateralized Vibrotactile Stress

Anxiety is an aversive emotional state marked by hyperarousal and cognitive impairments. Studies using Quantitative Electroencephalography (QEEG) have shown asymmetric right frontal and parietotemporal activity at resting baseline in trait anxious subjects. However, there has been a lack of research investigating changes in QEEG asymmetries in trait anxious subjects following stress. The current study aimed to assess changes in QEEG asymmetries following lateralized vibrotactile and affective stress in trait anxious subjects. Following a two-minute baseline, subjects underwent two 2-minute stress periods, during which they were presented with auditory and counterbalanced unilateral vibrotactile stressors, each followed by a two-minute recording period. Subjects were classified as high or low trait anxious based on their scores on the Spielberger Trait Anxiety Inventory. A repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant asymmetry score differences between the high and low anxious groups in the F3/F4 (F(1,32) = 5.30, p < 0.03), and F7/F8 (F(1,32) = 4.20, p < 0.05) electrode pairs as a function of lateralized vibrotactile stress. No significant differences were found between groups in the Fp1/Fp2, C3/C4, P3/P4, and P7/P8 electrode pairs or between trials in any of the electrode pairs for either group. These results replicate previous findings demonstrating differences in EEG frontal asymmetries between subjects scoring high or low in trait anxiety with but do not support the use of changes in asymmetry scores as a marker of acute stress. More work needs to be done regarding EEG frontal asymmetry and acute stress.

Frontal EEG Asymmetry Differs between High and Low Trait Anxious Individuals as a Function of Lateralized Vibrotactile Stress

Anxiety is an aversive emotional state marked by hyperarousal and cognitive impairments. Studies using Quantitative Electroencephalography (QEEG) have shown asymmetric right frontal and parietotemporal activity at resting baseline in trait anxious subjects. However, there has been a lack of research investigating changes in QEEG asymmetries in trait anxious subjects following stress. The current study aimed to assess changes in QEEG asymmetries following lateralized vibrotactile and affective stress in trait anxious subjects. Following a two-minute baseline, subjects underwent two 2-minute stress periods, during which they were presented with auditory and counterbalanced unilateral vibrotactile stressors, each followed by a two-minute recording period. Subjects were classified as high or low trait anxious based on their scores on the Spielberger Trait Anxiety Inventory. A repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant asymmetry score differences between the high and low anxious groups in the F3/F4 (F(1,32) = 5.30, p < 0.03), and F7/F8 (F(1,32) = 4.20, p < 0.05) electrode pairs as a function of lateralized vibrotactile stress. No significant differences were found between groups in the Fp1/Fp2, C3/C4, P3/P4, and P7/P8 electrode pairs or between trials in any of the electrode pairs for either group. These results replicate previous findings demonstrating differences in EEG frontal asymmetries between subjects scoring high or low in trait anxiety with but do not support the use of changes in asymmetry scores as a marker of acute stress. More work needs to be done regarding EEG frontal asymmetry and acute stress.

Blubber transcriptome response to acute stress axis activation involves transient changes in adipogenesis and lipolysis in a fasting-adapted marine mammal

Stress can compromise an animal’s ability to conserve metabolic stores and participate in energy-demanding activities that are critical for fitness. Understanding how wild animals, especially those already experiencing physiological extremes (e.g. fasting), regulate stress responses is critical for evaluating the impacts of anthropogenic disturbance on physiology and fitness, key challenges for conservation. However, studies of stress in wildlife are often limited to baseline endocrine measurements and few have investigated stress effects in fasting-adapted species. We examined downstream molecular consequences of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation by exogenous adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in blubber of northern elephant seals due to the ease of blubber sampling and its key role in metabolic regulation in marine mammals. We report the first phocid blubber transcriptome produced by RNAseq, containing over 140,000 annotated transcripts, including metabolic and adipocytokine genes of interest. The acute response of blubber to stress axis activation, measured 2 hours after ACTH administration, involved highly specific, transient (lasting <24 hours) induction of gene networks that promote lipolysis and adipogenesis in mammalian adipocytes. Differentially expressed genes included key adipogenesis factors which can be used as blubber-specific markers of acute stress in marine mammals of concern for which sampling of other tissues is not possible.

Salivary protein changes in response to acute stress in medical residents performing advanced clinical simulations: a pilot proteomics study

Context: Quantitative changes of salivary proteins due to acute stress were detected.Objective: To explore protein markers of stress in saliva of eight medical residents who performed emergency medicine simulations.Materials and methods: Saliva was collected before the simulations, after the simulations, and following morning upon waking. Proteins were separated by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), identified by mass spectrometry (MS), and relatively quantified by densitometry.Results: Salivary alpha-amylase and S–type cystatins significantly increased, while the ∼26 kDa and low-molecular weight (MW) (<10 kDa) SDS-PAGE bands exhibited changes after stress.Discussion and conclusion: Alpha-amylase and cystatins are potential salivary markers of acute stress, but further validation should be performed using larger sample populations.

Corticotropin-releasing hormone and copeptin as acute stress markers in serial cerebrospinal fluid – first evidence for non-response during insulin hypoglycemia test

Background: During stress, arginine vasopressin (AVP) and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) can act as potent hypothalamic stimulators of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenocortical (HPA) axis. Recently, plasma CT-proAVP, also termed copeptin, was found to be a stable and sensitive surrogate marker for AVP release. A valid assessment of both CRH and copeptin in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) might directly quantify an individual’s current stress level. Here we investigated how concentrations of CRH and copeptin in CSF alter during insulin-induced hypoglycemia test (IHT) - which has been shown to activate both hypothalamic AVP and CRH - and hypothesized an increase of both.Methods: Five healthy young men were studied from 08:00 until 14:00 after over-night fasting. They received an i.v. injection of human insulin (0.1 IE/kg body weight) at 11:02. CSF samples were drawn from a subarachnoidal catheter every 20 minutes from 10:40 to 14:00 for the measurement of CSF CRH and CSF copeptin. Plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol were analyzed in parallel.Results: Data could be assessed in three of five subjects, of which two responded to IHT by showing glucose levels of < 40 mg/dl and clinical symptoms (sweating). Despite a 17-fold, respectively 11-fold increase of plasma ACTH, neither our hypothesized increase of CSF CRH nor of CSF copeptin was seen in these two responders.Conclusions: This is the first study investigating CSF CRH and CSF copeptin in man during acute stress. Copeptin had not been measured in CSF before. Our results support recent speculations that CSF CRH is not a measure of hypothalamic but rather extrahypothalamic CRH (non-HPA CRH). Further research on copeptin in CSF is needed.