Saliva Cortisol Research Articles

Sarcopenia and Dinapenia in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis (Cross-Sectional Observational Study)

Background. Sarcopenia is a generalised, progressive decline in skeletal muscle mass, strength and performance leading to reduced quality of life, increased risk of falls, hospitalisation and mortality. Primary sarcopenia results from age-related changes in muscle tissue. In certain cases, sarcopenia develops secondary as a consequence of diseases including ulcerative colitis (UC), which is associated with a systemic inflammatory process, malabsorption syndrome, restriction of patients’ physical activity and nutrient deficiencies. The term “dynapenia” or “probable sarcopenia” has been proposed to describe the decrease in muscle strength. Studies have demonstrated that muscle strength is a more relevant marker for predicting adverse outcomes because its measurement is more practical, whereas muscle mass is technically difficult to measure. Aims — to increase the effectiveness of the diagnosis of dinapenia, to assess the prevalence and risk factors of its formation in patients with UC. Methods. A single-centre, observational cross-sectional study included 80 UC patients. To identify factors associated with the development of dinapenia, patients with dinapenia were compared with patients without dinapenia. The investigated parameters in patients: sex, age, body mass index, peculiarities of the course of the disease, ongoing treatment, concomitant pathology, peculiarities of nutrition, nutritional deficiency, malabsorption syndrome, bad habits, psychological stress and sleep duration, physical activity, laboratory indicators of inflammation, myokine-adipokine profile. Statistical parameters were calculated using Statistica 10.0.1011.0 programme. Results. Dinapenia is present in 32.5% of UC patients. Risk factors for the formation of dinapenia in UC patients include female sex (p = 0.0003); nutritional insufficiency (p = 0.021); low physical activity (p = 0.010); artificial feeding in infancy (p = 0.024); inflammation, namely C-reactive protein, autoantibodies of class G against double-stranded DNA (p = 0.006; p = 0.002 respectively). Patients with UC with dinapenia significantly more often gave a positive answer to the questionnaire question “Does daily activity cause you a lot of stress?” (p = 0.048). In the group of UC patients with dinapenia, the level of cortisol in evening saliva was significantly higher than in the comparison group (p = 0.005). Conclusions. Sarcopenia and UC are multifactorial conditions with common developmental mechanisms that can burden each other. Dynamometry is not technically difficult and is justified from an economic point of view. The timely detection of dinapenia and its correction will additionally affect the mechanisms of UC pathogenesis in order to improve the quality of life and prognosis of patients.

Association between Salivary Hormones, Dental Caries, and Cariogenic Microorganisms during Pregnancy.

Objective: This study aimed to identify the salivary levels of six hormones (progesterone, estradiol, testosterone, cortisol, thyroxine T3, and triiodothyronine T4) in pregnant women, and to assess the association between salivary hormones, dental caries, and cariogenic microorganisms. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 181 low-income US pregnant women who were in their third trimester. Demographic details, oral hygiene practices, and medical backgrounds were obtained via questionnaires and medical records. Calibrated dentists obtained data on plaque index and caries status through comprehensive oral examinations. Unstimulated saliva was collected 2 h before eating and brushing. Salivary hormones were measured with a multiplex assay. Oral Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) were quantified via colony-forming unit (CFU) counts. A latent model was used to generate clusters of pregnant women based on salivary hormone levels, followed by post-clustering analysis. Factors associated with salivary cariogenic microorganisms were further evaluated via multiple regression analyses. Results: Estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, T3, and T4 in saliva were detectable at rates of 92%, 97%, 77%, 99%, 71%, and 50%, respectively. Three distinct participant clusters (high, intermediate, and low) were identified based on salivary hormone levels. Intermediate-level and high-level clusters had increased numbers of decayed teeth, decayed surfaces, ICDAS scores, and salivary S. mutans and C. albicans, compared to the low-level cluster (p < 0.05). Covariate analysis demonstrated that the high-level cluster was positively associated with salivary carriage of S. mutans (CFU/mL) (p < 0.05). Participants with higher levels of progesterone, estradiol, testosterone, and cortisol were associated with a high carriage status of S. mutans in saliva (>105 CFU/mL) (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study demonstrated the feasibility of detecting salivary hormones during pregnancy and revealed the positive association between salivary steroid hormones and cariogenic pathogens.

Effects of Chinese traditional five-element music intervention on postoperative delirium and sleep quality in elderly patients after non-cardiac surgery: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundPostoperative delirium (POD) is a common neurologic disorder among elderly patients after non-cardiac surgery, which leads to various negative outcomes. Sleep disorder is considered an important cause of POD. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the Chinese traditional five-element music intervention could reduce POD by improving sleep quality in elderly patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery.MethodsA total of 132 patients aged 65 to 90 years who underwent non-cardiac surgery were randomized to two groups: the intervention (n = 60) and the control group (n = 63). Patients in the intervention group were subjected to the Chinese traditional five-element music intervention during the perioperative, while patients in the control group had no music intervention. POD was evaluated using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) in the first 5 days after surgery. The Richards‒Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ) was used to assess subjective sleep quality. The levels of nocturnal melatonin and cortisol in saliva were measured on the preoperative and the first 2 postoperative days.ResultsThe incidence of POD within 5 days was 27.0% in the control group and 11.7% in the intervention group. Preoperative PSQI and MMSE scores were associated with POD. The RCSQ scores on the first postoperative day were significantly decreased in the two groups compared to the preoperative day. Compared to the control group, the RCSQ scores showed a significant improvement in the intervention group on the first postoperative day. Compared to the control group, the level of saliva melatonin in the intervention group showed a significant increase on the first postoperative day. However, there was no statistical difference in cortisol levels between the two groups.ConclusionsChinese traditional five-element music intervention decreased the incidence of POD in elderly patients who underwent noncardiac surgery via improving sleep quality, which may be associated with increased levels of melatonin.

Effects of propofol, ketamine-propofol mixture in pediatric dental patients undergoing intravenous sedation: a clinical study

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical effects, complications (peri- and postoperative), depth of sedation, recovery times, and changes in anxiety levels in paediatric dental patients receiving intravenous sedation with propofol and ketamine–propofol mixtures. This prospective clinical study included 69 healthy children (ASA 1) aged 3–7 years. The patients were assigned randomly to propofol group (n = 23), which received propofol; 1:3 ketofol group (n = 23), which received 1:3 ketofol; or 1:4 ketofol group (n = 23), which received 1:4 ketofol. The bispectral index (BIS) and Ramsay Sedation Scale (RSS) score were recorded at intervals of 5 min to measure the depth of sedation, and vital signs were evaluated. Peri- and postoperative complications and recovery times were recorded. Anxiety levels were also evaluated using the Facial Image Scale (FIS) and changes in saliva cortisol levels (SCLs) before and after the intravenous sedation procedure. The Kruskal‒Wallis test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to determine pre- and posttreatment parameters. Dunn’s test for post hoc analysis was used to determine the differences among groups. Children’s pre- and posttreatment anxiety levels did not differ significantly according to FIS scores, and increases in SCLs were detected in 1:3 ketofol and 1:4 ketofol groups after dental treatment was completed. Compared with those in the other groups, the BIS values of the patients in 1:4 ketofol indicated a slightly lower depth of sedation. The recovery time of the patients in 1:3 ketofol was longer than that of patients in propofol and 1:4 ketofol. The incidence of postoperative complications (agitation, hypersalivation, nausea/vomiting, and diplopia) did not differ among the groups. Ketamine–propofol combinations provided effective sedation similar to that of propofol infusion without any serious complications during dental treatment performed under intravenous sedation. The ketofol infusion increased the anxiety level of paediatric dental patients to a greater extent than the propofol infusion.

Do cows with stereotypic tongue-rolling behaviour cope better with their environment?

Stereotypic behaviours, especially oral stereotypic behaviours, are frequently expressed in farm animals. Tongue-rolling is the most common oral stereotypic behaviour in dairy cows (Bos taurus). If animals frequently display stereotypic behaviours, this is an indication of poor welfare. It has been suggested that animals express stereotypic behaviours as a way of coping with stress. As a result, animals with stereotypic behaviours may have lower levels of stress hormones than animals without stereotypic behaviours. In this study, 916 Holstein cows in the first lactation were subjected to scan sampling behavioural observations 200 times for 10 days. All cows were assigned to either a stereotypic behaviours group (SB) or a control group (CON). The SB group was further subdivided into a tongue-rolling group (TR) and an other-stereotypic behaviours group (OS). The TR group was also split into an only tongue-rolling group (OTR) and a mixed tongue-rolling and other stereotypic behaviours group (TROS). Some cows in the TR group belonged to an extreme tongue-rolling group (ETR). Hair and saliva samples were collected from 601 cows to test cortisol concentrations and dairy herd improvement (DHI) data were collected from a total of 762 cows. There were no differences in hair or saliva cortisol concentrations between the groups (p>0.05), and the frequencies of tongue-rolling were not associated with cortisol concentrations (p>0.05). For DHI in cows, the milk protein percentage (p = 0.028), milk true protein percentage (p = 0.021) and milk crude protein percentage (p = 0.023) of cows in the ETR group were significantly lower than those in the CON group. For cows in ETR group, as the frequencies of tongue-rolling increased, the milk protein percentage (p = 0.034, r = 0.365), milk true protein percentage (p = 0.022, r = 0.393) and milk crude protein percentage (p = 0.035, r = 0.363) increased. We investigated the relationship between stereotypic behaviours and stress by using a non-invasive sampling method to minimise harm to the cows. We suggest that tongue-rolling may not be a way for cows to cope with stress, at least in terms of cortisol concentrations.

Effects of flavoring additives on feed intake, growth performance, temperament and markers of immune function for newly received feedlot cattle.

Ninety Angus × Hereford steers (259.9 ± 36.18kg body weight (BW)), were used in a 56-d experiment to assess the effects of flavoring additives on feed intake, and stress and immune response of newly received feedlot cattle. Steers were homogenously distributed by BW into six pens equipped with an individual feed intake monitoring system, and pen was randomly assigned to one of three treatments (15 head/pen; 30 head/treatment): a standard feedlot receiving diet (CT), or the same diet with a flavoring additive comprised of either sweeteners (Luctarom Feedlot, SW) or a mix of basic tastes (Luctarom Feedlot Mix, MX) at 1kg/mT. Pens were equipped with a feed intake monitoring system, while BW, chute behavior, flight speed, blood and saliva samples were collected bi-weekly, and hair samples collected at 4-week intervals during the study. Data were analyzed using a mixed-effects model for a pen study using individual animal records with repeated measures. There was a treatment × week interaction (P < 0.01) where meal duration was greater in SW steers than MX and CT on wk 3, and than CT on wk 7 and 8. A trend for treatment × week interaction (P = 0.06) showed that the number of visits per day tended to be greater in SW than MX steers on wk 4 and 5, and it tended to be greater in SW than MX and CT on wk 5. The concentration of IL-6 was greater (P <0.01) on d 1 and 28 than on d 14. The IgM concentration was greater (P < 0.01) on d 1 compared to d 14, 28 and 56. The concentration of haptoglobin was greater (P < 0.01) on 14 than d 28, 42 and 56, and it was greater (P < 0.01) on d 1 than d 42 and 56. The concentration of serum amyloid A was greater (P < 0.01) on d 1 compared to the rest of sampling days. Fibrinogen concentration was greater (P < 0.01) on d 1 compared to d 14 and 42. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was greater (P < 0.01) on d 42 and 56 compared to d 1 and 28, and greater (P < 0.01) on d 14 compared to d 28. Hair and saliva cortisol concentration were lower (P < 0.01) on d 56 compared to d 1 and 28, respectively. The use of flavoring additives, particularly when based on sweeteners (SW), caused some changes in the feeding pattern of newly received steers. These changes, however, were not consistent over the 56-d feeding period and were not accompanied by a change in growth performance, temperament, biomarkers of stress, inflammation, or immune function.

Low blood glucose and fatigue accumulation at peak hours of occupational trauma in secondary industry workers

Objectives. The incidence of occupational traumatic injuries caused by human error has been reported to occur at 11:00 and 8–9 h after commencing work. Impaired attention is closely related to the incidence of these accidents. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the changes in blood glucose, fatigue and stress response hormone levels over time among workers in a secondary industry. Methods. The blood glucose and subjective fatigue levels of 26 male secondary-industry workers were measured on workdays. In addition, the cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone levels in saliva were measured on one workday and one holiday. Results. Blood glucose levels at 11:00 and 17:30 on the workday were significantly lower than those at 09:30. Moreover, hypoglycemia was observed in some participants. A significant increase in subjective fatigue levels was observed during the workday. However, no significant differences in salivary cortisol levels were observed between the workday and the holiday at any time point. Conclusions. Blood glucose levels decreased and subjective fatigue levels increased at the time points that occupational accidents were reported to occur most frequently during work. These factors may contribute to human errors due to impaired attentional function.

Pain of Threatened Self: Explicit and Implicit Self-Esteem, Cortisol Responses to a Social Threat and Pain Perception.

Background: Rejection, injustice, and exclusion from meaningful interpersonal relationships are often extremely painful and stress-generating experiences. This study aimed to define the role of explicit and implicit self-esteem in pain perception as a component of the physiological-psychological system that regulates the body's response to stress associated with the threat of social rejection. Methods: In total, 360 individuals participated in this study. The measurement of cortisol in saliva, the assessment of pain thresholds using thermal stimuli, the IAT to assess implicit self-esteem, and a questionnaire on global self-esteem and social pain were used. The study included three measurements: baseline and 15 and 45 min after the application of a laboratory socially threatening stimulus (the Trier Social Stress Test). Results: People experiencing chronic social pain (CSP) are more likely to have fragile self-esteem, higher pain thresholds, and tend to experience reduced pain tolerance in situations of acute social threat than people without CSP experience. In people with CSP and fragile self-esteem, after the introduction of a social threat, an increase in pain tolerance was observed along with a longer-lasting increase in cortisol levels. Conclusions: Fragile self-esteem, along with feelings of chronic exclusion, injustice, and rejection, may prolong stress reactions and produce a hypoalgesic effect.

The usefulness of saliva cortisol as a marker for replacement therapy in adrenal insufficiency patients treated with hydrocortisone in tablet versus capsule forms: A randomized crossover trial

The usefulness of saliva cortisol as a marker for replacement therapy in adrenal insufficiency patients treated with hydrocortisone in tablet versus capsule forms: A randomized crossover trial

The Dose Response Effects of Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum on Gut Microbiome of Healthy Adults

Partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) is a water-soluble, prebiotic fiber that is used in foods and supplements. The effects of PHGG and its role in gut health are still being studied. The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in the gut microbiome composition of healthy individuals in response to low-dose PHGG supplementation compared with a low fiber diet. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study was performed on 33 healthy subjects (17 males, 16 females). Each subject completed three 14-day treatment periods with a 2-week washout between each period. Treatments included supplementation with 3 g PHGG, 6 g PHGG, or a placebo. During all periods, the participants followed a low fiber diet (≤14 g/day). Stools were collected on days 0 and 14 of each period. Gut microbiome profiling was performed using 16S rRNA sequencing. Stools were assessed by investigators with the Bristol Stool Form Scale as a secondary outcome. Saliva cortisol was also measured as a secondary outcome. Supplementation of 3 g and 6 g PHGG significantly increased Verrucomicrobia on day 14 when compared to the placebo (p = 0.0066 and p = 0.0068, respectively). On the genus level, Akkermansia was significantly increased on day 14 with both the 3 g and 6 g PHGG doses (p = 0.0081 and p = 0.0083). Faecalibacterium was significantly decreased on day 14 with 3 g PHGG (p = 0.0054). Supplementing with low doses of PHGG has the potential to cause shifts in the gut microbiome composition. By increasing beneficial microbes, PHGG can improve the microbiome composition of healthy individuals and may play a role in the treatment of inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases.

Relationships among Cortisol, Perceived Stress, and Dental Caries Experience in Adolescents and Young Adults

Introduction: Stress can impact mental and physical health, especially during adolescence and young adulthood, but the extent of its contribution to dental caries is poorly understood. The present study assessed the association between perceived stress, cortisol levels (in hair and saliva), and overall caries experience of adolescents and young adults aged 15–25 years. Methods: Hair and saliva samples were obtained from 93 participants free of periodontal disease. Cortisol in hair and saliva was determined using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Participants completed a perceived stress questionnaire and underwent full-mouth oral examination by a calibrated examiner. Dental caries experience was based on the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index. Sociodemographic variables were also recorded. Results: There were significantly higher hair cortisol levels and perceived stress scale (PSS) scores in individuals with dental caries experience (DMFT≥1) than in those without (DMFT = 0). However, there was no significant difference in salivary cortisol concentration. A binary logistic regression revealed that higher hair cortisol levels and greater scores on the perceived stress scale were associated with increased odds of having experienced dental caries. In contrast, no significant association was found between salivary cortisol concentration and dental caries. Using multivariable regression models, caries experience was found to be significantly associated with both hair cortisol levels and PSS scores. These associations remained statistically significant even after adjusting for sociodemographic variables. Conclusion: Hair cortisol levels and perceived stress have a significant association with dental caries experience, whereas salivary cortisol concentrations do not.

Effects of brief mindfulness meditation training on attention and dispositional mindfulness in young adult males

This study examined the impact of brief mindfulness meditation (BMM) training on attention function and dispositional mindfulness in young males. 126 male participants aged 18–26 from the security industry were recruited, with 66 participants (M = 22.84, SD = 2.41) undergoing 4-week mindfulness meditation training and 60 participants (M = 23.07, SD = 2.29) in the active control group. The intervention was integrated into the participants' schedules. Measures included Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaires (FFMQ), concentration and assignment attention tasks, Attention Network Test (ANT), and saliva cortisol concentration. Findings indicate that brief mindfulness meditation training led to significant improvements in participants' FFMQ scores), with marginally significant enhancements in the executive control network. However, it had no discernible effect on alertness and orientation networks. Additionally, brief mindfulness meditation training enhanced attention allocation to light stimulation and prolonged individual attention. Surprisingly, there was no observed decrease in saliva cortisol concentration among meditation training participants. However, this study did not find a decrease in saliva cortisol concentration in the brief mindfulness meditation group. In conclusion, this study highlights the potential of a 4-week brief mindfulness meditation training program to enhance dispositional mindfulness and specific aspects of attention function in young men, offering practical insights into the benefits of mindfulness meditation practices for this demographic.

The associates of anxiety among lung cancer patients: Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) as a potential biomarker

ObjectiveAnxiety is a prevalent comorbidity in lung cancer (LC) patients associated with a decline in quality of life. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a neuroactive steroid, levels rise in response to stress. Prior research on the association between DHEA and anxiety has yielded contradictory results and no study has investigated this association in LC patients.MethodsA total of 213 patients with LC were recruited from a general hospital. Data on demographic and cancer-related variables were collected. Using the Chinese version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the degree of anxiety was determined. Cortisol, DHEA, and Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) levels in saliva were measured. Adjusting for confounding variables, a multivariate regression analysis was conducted.Results147 men and 66 women comprised our group with an average age of 63.75 years. After accounting for demographic and treatment-related factors, anxiety levels were significantly correlated with, post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSSs) (β = 0.332, p < 0.001) and fatigue (β = 0.247, p = 0.02). Association between anxiety and three factors, including DHEA, PTSSs, and fatigue, was observed in patients with advanced cancer stages (III and IV) (DHEA β = 0.319, p = 0.004; PTSS β = 0.396, p = 0.001; fatigue β = 0.289, p = 0.027) and those undergoing chemotherapy (DHEA β = 0.346, p = 0.001; PTSS β = 0.407, p = 0.001; fatigue β = 0.326, p = 0.011).ConclusionsThe association between anxiety and DHEA remained positive in advanced cancer stages and chemotherapy patients. Further study is necessary to determine whether DHEA is a potential biomarker of anxiety in LC patients.

Stress responses in surgical trainees during simulation-based training courses in laparoscopy

BackgroundSimulation-based training courses in laparoscopy have become a fundamental part of surgical training programs. Surgical skills in laparoscopy are challenging to master, and training in these skills induces stress responses in trainees. There is limited data on trainees’ stress levels, the stress responses related to training on different laparoscopic simulators, and how previous experiences influence trainees’ stress response during a course. This study investigates physiologic, endocrine and self-reported stress responses during simulation-based surgical skills training in a course setting.MethodsWe conducted a prospective observational study of trainees attending basic laparoscopic skills training courses at a national training centre. During the three-day course, participants trained on different laparoscopic simulators: Two box-trainers (the D-box and P.O.P. trainer) and a virtual reality simulator (LAPMentor™). Participants’ stress responses were examined through heart rate variability (HRV), saliva cortisol, and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory-6 (STAI-6). The correlation between previous laparoscopic experiences and stress response measurements was explored.ResultsTwenty-four surgical trainees were included in the study. Compared to resting conditions, stress measures were significantly higher during simulation-training activity (the D-box (SDNN = 58.5 ± 23.4; LF/HF-ratio = 4.58 ± 2.71; STAI-6 = 12.3 ± 3.9, P < 0.05), the P.O.P trainer (SDNN = 55.7 ± 7.4; RMSSD = 32.4 ± 17.1; STAI-6 = 12.1 ± 3.9, P < 0.05), and the LAPMentor™ (SDNN = 59.1 ± 18.5; RMSSD = 34.3 ± 19.7; LF/HF-ratio = 4.71 ± 2.64; STAI-6 = 9.9 ± 3.0, P < 0.05)). A significant difference in endocrine stress response was seen for the simulation-training activity on the D-box (saliva cortisol: 3.48 ± 1.92, P < 0.05), however, no significant differences were observed between the three simulators. A moderate correlation between surgical experience, and physiologic and endocrine stress response was observed (RMSSD: r=-0.31; SDNN: r=-0.42; SD2/SD1 ratio: r = 0.29; Saliva cortisol: r = 0.46; P < 0.05), and a negative moderate correlation to self-reported stress (r=-0.42, P < 0.05).ConclusionTrainees have a significant higher stress response during simulation-training compared to resting conditions, with no difference in stress response between the simulators. Significantly higher cortisol levels were observed on the D-box, indicating that simulation tasks with time pressure stress participants the most. Trainees with more surgical experience are associated with higher physiologic stress measures, but lower self-reported stress scores, demonstrating that surgical experience influences trainees’ stress response during simulation-based skills training courses.

Graphene nanoplatelets-polyaniline composite for the detection of cortisol

In this study, a highly selective Graphene oxide (GO)-Polyaniline (PANI) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was fabricated and its electrocatalytic behaviour towards the electro-reduction of cortisol in human saliva was investigated. The synthesized nanocomposites were characterized using different analytical approaches. The electrochemical study of the PANI-GO modified electrode was analyzed by employing a cyclic Voltammetry (CV) study. The outcomes demonstrated a substantial enhancement in the reduction and oxidation current peaks of the modified GCE as associated to bare GCE, GO/GCE and PANI/GCE. Along with enhanced electronic properties, the biosensor displays the good selectivity and sensitivity, good reproducibility (95 %, n = 8), high stability (maintaining more than 95 % response even after 11 weeks of storage at −20C, 50 cycles), a wide linear range (100μ-10 mM) and small detection limit (30 μM). The utilization of PANI-GO in the electrode modification process may be attributed to these positive outcomes, given some of the amazing characteristics of the composite, such as its larger surface area, outstanding electrical conductivity, and good electrocatalytic behavior. Furthermore, the PANI-GO modified GCE was successfully validated by detecting cortisol in real human saliva samples using cyclic voltammetry, highlighting the effectiveness of the PANI-GO composite for non-invasive electrochemical cortisol detection.

Cortisol awakening response in bipolar patients with comorbid type 2 diabetes mellitus

IntroductionBipolar Disorder (BD) is a severely debilitating psychiatric disorder with high rates of morbidity and mortality, and patients with BD have a 10-year reduction in their life expectancy. Bipolar disorder (BD) is frequently associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). BD patients with comorbid T2DM have been shown to have three times higher odds of a chronic course and rapid cycling and are more likely to present worse outcomes to treatment with lithium and/or other mood stabilisers when compared to BD patients without IGM (impaired glucose metabolism).ObjectivesThe functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis has been never investigated in BD with respect to the glucose metabolic status. Therefore, we assessed the cortisol awakening response (CAR) in bipolar patients with or without comorbid T2DM.MethodsTwenty euglycemic bipolar patients [12 males and eight females; mean age (±SD): 47.4 ± 14.4 years; mean (±SD) duration of illness: 18.3 ± 12.1 years], 16 BD patients with T2DM [11 males and five females; mean age (±SD): 63.6 ± 12.8 years; mean (±SD) duration of bipolar illness: 17.1 ± 10.8 years; mean (±SD) duration of T2DM: 5.2 ± 5.3 years], 18 healthy subjects [seven males and 11 females; mean age (±SD): 45.0 ± 12.1 years] and 12 non-psychiatric subjects with T2DM [eight males and four females; mean age (±SD): 56.7 ± 11.2 years; mean (±SD) duration of T2DM: 5.2 ± 3.5 years] were recruited. Saliva cortisol was measured at awakening and after 15, 30, and 60 min.ResultsWith respect to both healthy controls and controls with T2DM, euglycemic and diabetic BD patients exhibited a CAR occurring at significantly lower levels. No significant difference emerged in the CAR between the two groups of bipolar patients. Controls with T2DM had an overall post-awakening cortisol production significantly higher than healthy controls.ConclusionsOur results show that the CAR of patients with BD is reduced in terms of overall cortisol production but normal in terms of cortisolo reactivity independently from the occurrence of comorbid T2DM. The dampened CAR points to a tuning down of the functioning of the HPA axis in both euglycemic and diabetic BD patients, which may be a factor of vulnerability, since a preserved HPA axis functioning is essential to deal with stressors, which may precipitate affective episodesDisclosure of InterestNone Declared

Features of neurovegetative and humoral regulation of cognitive activity in adolescents when using electronic devices

Background. Studying the functional state of the body of adolescents when they preform cognitive activity using electronic devices is of great importance due to the introduction of information and computer technologies into the educational process. Identifying the characteristics of the reactivity of students’ bodies when performing cognitive activities in a digital environment will contribute to both optimization of learning and health protection.The aim. To study the autonomic regulation of heart rate, electrodermal activity, cerebral circulation and the level of cortisol in saliva when adolescents performed a cognitive test on electronic devices (tablet, laptop) and on paper.Materials and methods. Using analysis of heart rate variability, electrodermal activity, rheoencephalography and enzyme-linked immunosorbent determination of cortisol in saliva, цe examined 48 adolescents while performing a cognitive activity on electronic devices.Results. When adolescents perform cognitive activity using electronic devices, we can register changes in heart rate variability, electrodermal activity and cerebral circulation. Cognitive activity in a digital environment causes an increase in sympathetic effect ontheheart rate with adecrease inparasympathetic activity, anincrease inthe integrative indicator ofgalvanic skin response, invascular tone and adecrease in the cerebral blood flow intensity. One in four adolescents experiences anticipatory stimulation of the endocrine system before taking a cognitive test. Correlation analysis revealed alarge number of correlations between the studied indicators both in the initial state and during cognitive activity.Conclusion. A large number of correlations, both in the initial state and during the cognitive test, between heart rate variability and cortisol concentration, cerebral circulation parameters indicate the preservation of a rigid system of neurovegetative and humoral regulation of heart rate when using electronic devices compared to paper-based media.

Influence of mothers' stress on their infants' stress level: A preliminary study.

In a previous study, mothers' stress was demonstrated to affect the stress of their infants. However, stress is a multi-layered concept, and there is a lack of studies on the type of stress that influences infant stress. This study examined how various types of mothers' stress influence their infants' stress by measuring stress that emanates from COVID-19, child rearing, and stress levels based on speech and cortisol in saliva. This study was conducted in two phases, and the stress of 21 mother-infant dyad were evaluated using questionnaires, participants' saliva, and voice recording. The results demonstrated that maternal stress increased infant stress, rearing stress decreased infant stress, and COVID-19 stress did not affect infant stress. Furthermore, there was no relationship between stress measured using questionnaires and stress measured using saliva, indicating that these factors independently affect infant stress. It is clear that stress is multi-layered and that it is necessary to grasp each of the various stresses and their relationship appropriately.

Psychological Stress and its relationship to Periodontal flora and salivary Nitrite/Nitrate

ObjectivePsychological stress can be a common risk factor for the development of oral and systemic disease; therefore, analysis of a pathophysiologic mechanisms that may explain this association may be significant in planning preventive strategies. The aim of this study was to investigate the association amongst academic stress, periodontal health, and salivary cortisol and nitrite and nitrate levels in a sample of university students. MethodsParticipants (N = 14) were classified into 2 groups according to their exposure to academic stress due to periods of university exams (n = 6 and n = 8, respectively). All participants were subjected evlauted for their behavioural, psychological, and anthropometric parameters, as well as an oral health examination. A real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis in samples of saliva and plaque was used to detect Prevotella intermedia and Veillonella dispar as well as the total bacterial count. Nitrite/nitrate ratio (NR ratio) and cortisol in saliva were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. ResultsFull Mouth Bleeding Score, Full Mouth Plaque Score, and Gingival Index were significantly higher in the group exposed to academic stress. Nitrite was directly related to the presence of V dispar (coefficient, 0.13; P = .00; CI, 0.07 to 0.19) and inversely related to total bacterial count (coefficient, −0.07; P = .012; CI, −0.13 to 0.02). NR ratio was directly related to V dispar (coefficient, 4.35; P = .010; 95% CI, 1.35 to 7.36) and inversely related to total bacterial count (coefficient, −4.05; P = .018; 95% CI, −7.32 to 0.86). ConclusionsThese results confirm the importance of stress on periodontal health and salivary nitrite concentration and highlight a potential differential role of specific bacteria on nitrite concentration in saliva.

An LC-MS/MS-based method for the simultaneous quantification of melatonin, cortisol and cortisone in saliva

Disturbances in the diurnal pattern are associated with several clinical and psychological conditions, including depression and fatigue. Salivary sampling for melatonin, cortisol and cortisone provides a non-invasive method for frequent sampling and obtaining biochemical insight into the diurnal pattern of individuals. Therefore, a new liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-based method for the measurement of salivary melatonin, cortisol and cortisone was developed and validated. The method required 250 μl saliva, used isotope dilution methodology and was based on a liquid-liquid extraction for sample preparation, reversed-phase chromatography and multiple reaction monitoring on a mass spectrometer for quantitation. The lower limits of quantification obtained were 0.010 nmol/L for melatonin, 0.5 nmol/L for cortisol and 1.00 nmol/L for cortisone and the limits of detection were 0.003 nmol/L, 0.15 nmol/L and 0.1 nmol/L respectively. The method imprecision was ≤14% for all measurands, and the method comparison showed highly comparable results with high correlation coefficients (all ≥0.964). Potential interference of cortisol and cortisone by prednisolone was observed and could be detected by chromatogram review. Typical diurnal patterns for melatonin, cortisol and cortisone were observed in the saliva of 20 cancer survivors who collected saliva throughout the day.