Significant Increase In Cortisol Levels Research Articles

Behavioral and Endocrine Alterations to Partner Interactions and Offspring Care during Periods of Conflict

Biparental care has evolved to ensure successful rearing of offspring. However, separation during periods of care can lead to conflicts that might negatively impact pair bonds and offspring care. In this study, pair-bonded convict cichlids (Amatitlania nigrofasciata) were observed for changes in behavior toward their partners and offspring before and after a period of separation. Males and females were designated either as a Resident (remain with offspring) or Removed (separated from partner and offspring for 5 days) individual. Behaviors between partners and toward offspring were measured before and after separation, and compared to the levels of behavior of control pairs (never separated), as well as individuals introduced to a novel partner instead. Cortisol levels of Resident male and female A. nigrofasciata were assayed using water-borne hormone collection before and after separation. Aggression between pair bond members did increase following reintroduction, but did not lead to the termination of pair bonds. Resident females showed more aggression to novel partners than Resident males. Offspring care decreased in both Resident and Removed females. Experimental pairs decreased the amount of time spent interacting with intruders. Cortisol levels were significantly higher among experimental pairs compared with control pairs that did not experience a separation. Females (both control and experimental) showed small, yet significant increases in cortisol levels, while both control and experimental males did not. These results suggest that while pair bonds appear resilient, prolonged separations influence pair bond and parental care dynamics, both behaviorally and hormonally, and require pairs to re-establish roles, resulting in less time caring for offspring.

Serum Cortisol Levels Modifications in Patients with Depression and Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The correlations between depression and stress are quite accepted nowadays, as well as the fact that cortisol levels could also represent fundamental risk factors for major depressive disorder. However, when it comes to the modifications of cortisol levels in depression, the results are controversial. Same goes for the cortisol modifications in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which is a functional digestive disorder characterized by a strong biopsychological component, being highly influenced or exacerbated by stressful stimuli. Thus, in the present report we were interested in seeing if there are any serum cortisol levels variations in patients with depression and irritable bowel syndrome, by looking at cortisol modifications in two different groups of patients: a control group with major depression disorder and another study group composed by major depression disorder + IBS patients. Thus, our data presented here are suggesting that there is a significant increase in cortisol levels in the morning serum of the patients with major depression disorder + IBS, as compared to the group having only depression. The results presented here could have an important relevance in the context of managing the stress-related factors in the pathological entities described above.

Optimizing rearing and welfare in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalesensis) broodstock: Effect of ambient light intensity and handling time on stress response

Broodstock rearing conditions and handling procedures should be optimized in aquaculture species in order to benefit fish welfare and guarantee optimal conditions for spawning. In teleosts, basal cortisol levels display daily rhythms, oscillating along the 24 h of the day. In this sense, handling fish at different moments of the day may lead to different stress responses. The present study aimed at investigating the optimal rearing conditions for Senegalese sole broodstock, considering ambient light intensity and handling time. The optimal light intensity (50, 100 or 200 lx) was investigated by measuring fish cortisol levels and monitoring locomotor activity rhythms under each intensity tested. Results showed a significant increase in cortisol levels of fish exposed to 200 lx, when compared to values obtained under 100 lx, accompanied by changes in locomotor activity rhythms in both tanks under study. These results suggested that 200 lx may be too high as light intensity for this species, whereas 100 lx seems to be more adequate. Also, daily rhythms of stress response were investigated in breeders from different origins (Wild and first generation, G1). Basal cortisol levels and cortisol stress response after an acute stressor (air exposure) were monitored at two distinct moments of the day (Mid-Light and Mid-Dark). Basal levels were higher during the day in the wild group, while G1 fish seemed to have lost the daily fluctuations in basal cortisol plasma levels, as well as their daily rhythms of locomotor activity. Both groups showed lower stress responses during night-time, an indication that this is an adequate period of the day to handle this species. Senegalese sole breeders born in captivity presented more pronounced stress responses when compared to wild fish, reflecting their different life history in terms of stress challenges.

SUN-460 Anticipating Hypokalemia in Patients With ACTH-Dependent Cushing Syndrome Treated With Mifepristone: Utilization of Cortisol and ACTH Levels to Identify At-Risk Patients

Background: Hypokalemia (K+ level <3.5 mEq/L) is common in patients with hypercortisolism. Treatment with mifepristone, a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, can exacerbate hypokalemia due to the mineralocorticoid effects produced by the rapid and significant increase in cortisol levels that result from the loss of negative feedback of the HPA axis. Correction of hypokalemia is required prior to initiating mifepristone and K+ levels must be closely monitored during treatment. However, there is little guidance to help clinicians identify patients who may be at a greater risk for developing hypokalemia during mifepristone therapy and who may benefit from prophylactic treatment (eg, mineralocorticoid antagonists, potassium replacement). Method: Using data from the 24-week, open-label, phase 3 SEISMIC study, this report investigated associations between cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels and the development of hypokalemia in patients with ACTH-dependent Cushing syndrome treated with mifepristone. Data from 47 patients were retrospectively analyzed using logistic regressions and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Analyses were performed to identify factors associated with early-onset hypokalemia (occurring within the first 2 weeks of mifepristone treatment during doses of 300 mg/day) and late-onset hypokalemia (occurring after 2 weeks of mifepristone treatment during dose escalation). Results: Nineteen patients (40.4%) developed hypokalemia at least once during mifepristone treatment. Of these 19 patients, 10 (52.6%) developed hypokalemia by day 14. Early-onset hypokalemia was significantly related to baseline serum cortisol levels (P=.0155). Baseline serum cortisol levels >27 µg/dL (>750 nmol/L) were associated with a 6.8-fold increase in the occurrence of early-onset hypokalemia vs patients with cortisol ≤27 µg/dL (≤750 nmol/L) (58.3% vs 8.6%, P<.0011). Late-onset hypokalemia was significantly related to the 2-week ACTH levels (P=.0032). At 2 weeks, ACTH levels >112 pg/mL (>25 pmol/L) were associated with a 5.64-fold higher risk of late-onset hypokalemia vs patients with ACTH ≤112 pg/mL (≤25 pmol/L) (75% vs 13.3%; P<.0001). ACTH levels >112 pg/mL (>25 pmol/L) at 2 weeks were also associated with a greater risk of severe (K+ ≤2.5 mEq/L) or recurrent hypokalemia. Conclusions: Serum cortisol and ACTH levels may be useful in identifying patients at risk for developing hypokalemia while being treated with mifepristone. Patients with serum cortisol levels >27 µg/dL (>750 nmol/L) assessed before mifepristone initiation had a 6.8-fold increase in occurrence of early-onset hypokalemia. Patients with ACTH levels >112 pg/mL (>25 pmol/L) at 2 weeks after initiation of mifepristone (prior to dose escalation) had a 5.64-fold higher risk of late-onset hypokalemia.

Fight or flight? Effects of vaginal oestrus on cortisol, testosterone, and behaviour in guinea pig female-female interaction

It is accepted that social stress in relation to confrontation and competition can elicit behavioural and hormonal changes in social mammals. These effects have, however, been less frequently studied among female-female interactions. In the present study female-female confrontation experiments were carried out to monitor socio-positive and agonistic behaviour by controlling for the oestrus cycles of 12 individuals. Additionally, plasma cortisol (CORT) and testosterone (T) levels were determined before and after the experiments.During non-oestrus conditions a significant increase in CORT levels from pre- to post confrontation was registered and females spent more time to sit side by side. During vaginal oestrus the confrontation experiments revealed avoiding of a conspecific female by showing increased flight behaviour. However, during that period no changes in CORT levels were found. But, a non-significant increase in T was measured from pre- to post confrontation in both cycle phases, while no differences in the display of aggressive behaviours were found. These findings indicate considerable influences of different oestrus cycle phases on social stress-induced CORT secretion and the modulation of socio-positive and agonistic behaviour in female guinea pigs.

Visual stimulation-induced mild stress enhances cognitive behavior in cynomolgus monkey

Cortisol is a well-known endogenous glucocorticoid that serves as a stress indicator. It is normally released under stressful condition to warn about imminent danger and thus is critical for survival of the species. However, it is unclear how cortisol relates to cognitive process under physiological condition in high-order primates such as non-human primates (NHP). Here, we report that a slight but significant increase in blood cortisol level by mild stress is positively correlated with the cognitive function in cynomolgus monkey. We stimulated 3 groups of monkeys by viewing consecutive series of pictures of monkeys, pictures of humans, or animation still pictures. We first found that the blood cortisol level was significantly higher during the stimulation session and returned to normal after stimulation session. Among the three types of pictures, the monkeys which were stimulated with monkey pictures showed the most significant increase in cortisol level during stimulation. Furthermore, the monkeys showed significantly enhanced manipulation, suggesting that cortisol affected cognitive processes. Overall, our study demonstrates that visual stimulation both increases blood cortisol and enhances manipulating behavior. Therefore, unlike the common notion that cortisol is a stress indicator, our data supports that a mild increase of cortisol enhances cognition in NHP.

Changes in Anthropometry and Selected Metabolic Parameters in Young Men During Their First Year of Study at a University of Physical Education.

This study aims to determine main health-related anthropometric and metabolic parameters in young physically active male students in their first year of study. Sixty one male students from a Polish university of physical education were studied twice–at the beginning of their first and second academic years. Body weight, height, waist circumference, and body composition were measured. Plasma levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), leptin, cortisol, and insulin, as well as insulin resistance (IR) using the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) were determined. In 64% of the participants body weight and body mass index (BMI) significantly increased during the study. An average students’ weight gain amounted to 1.2 kg. In most of the subjects it resulted from the increase of fat-free mass (r = .886, p < .001). TSH and leptin levels did not change, but a significant increase of cortisol levels and a tendency toward decreased insulin levels and also HOMA-IR values were observed. However, there were no significant correlations identified between the changes in anthropometric and biochemical parameters. The study revealed that body weight gain seen in male students during their first year at the university of physical education was mainly due to the increase in fat-free mass. Apart from anthropometrics, changes in their insulin and cortisol levels were also detected, but further studies are required to evaluate these findings. The documented insufficient energy and carbohydrates consumption in physically active male students proves the need for nutritional education among them.

Hatha Yoga practice decreases menopause symptoms and improves quality of life: A randomized controlled trial

ObjectivesYoga practice includes a group of specific psychophysical techniques. Although previous studies showed beneficial effects of yoga for health and rehabilitation, improving quality of life, there are few studies on the possible therapeutic application of yoga during the climacteric period. The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychophysiological effects of Hatha Yoga regular practice in post-menopausal women. MethodsEighty-eight post-menopausal women volunteered for this 12-week trial. They were randomly assigned to one of three groups: control (no intervention), exercise, and yoga. Questionnaires were applied in order to evaluate climacteric syndrome (Menopause Rating Scale), stress (Lipp Stress Symptom Inventory), quality of life (Brief World Health Organization Quality of Life), depression (Beck Depression Inventory) and anxiety (State/Trait Anxiety Inventories). Physiological changes were evaluated through hormone levels (cortisol, FSH, LH, progesterone and estradiol). ResultsAt 12 weeks, yoga practitioners showed statistically lower scores for menopausal symptoms, stress levels and depression symptoms, as well as significantly higher scores in quality of life when compared to control and exercise groups. Only control group presented a significant increase in cortisol levels. The yoga and exercise groups showed decreased levels of FSH and LH when compared to control group. ConclusionsThese results suggest that yoga promotes positive psychophysiological changes in post-menopausal women and may be applied as a complementary therapy towards this population.

Systematic approach to the assessment of suicidal behavior (618.22)

The research and modern literature data suggest the organizational structure of behavioral suicidal act. The impact of stress factors in the external and internal environment causes a negative psycho‐emotional reaction.The severity of this reaction will depend largely on the state of stress‐limiting systems. In turn, psycho‐emotional response will depend on a number of related factors: genetic, previously carried diseases, disorders, psycho‐social environment; disorders of neuro‐vegetative regulation peculiarities and mental reactions, hormonal status (cortisol, prolactin, thyroid hormones and bioactive connections, etc.), availability of previous alcoholism or drug addiction; metabolic features of the body and brain, in particular, the level of cholesterol in the blood, disorders of the immune system, etc. An important element in the formation of functional and pathological disorders of the central nervous system is a hormonal link. Our data indicate that more than 58% of suicide population (girls) holds inconsistency adaptive and compensatory mechanisms, expressed in varying degrees. Girls with more severe rehabilitation period, but with a stable hyperprolactinemia have significant increase in cortisol levels (2.22 times) is accompanied by a relatively less pronounced increase in prolactin levels (1.8 times), resulting in a low rate of BPD/K. This may indicate that persistent hyperprolactinemia against kortizolemia can be one of the factors that shape disrupting the mechanism of adaptation, in particular the failure of its stress‐limiting link. Conditions of formation of suicidal activity have been originated from these factors. At their worst combination is a qualitatively new emotional state with an orientation to suicide. Study of the functional constituents of the system and the determination of their role in the system will effectively act on these components and prevent suicide attempts.

Empirical study of the influence of a Laughing Qigong Program on long‐term care residents

To determine the psychological and physiological effects of a Laughing Qigong Program on an elderly population in an institutionalized setting. Participants were recruited from a long-term care institution in northern Taiwan. A total of 99 residents were interviewed and 66 enrolled, there were 33 control participants and 33 experimental participants. The participants were matched according to their abilities as measured by the Barthel Index of Activities for Daily Living. Experimental participants attended the Laughing Qigong Program, twice a week for 4 weeks. Comparisons were made on the Mini-Mental State Examination, Faces Scale, Geriatric Depression Scale and cortisol levels. Psychometric measures for participants in the experimental group improved, whereas those in the control group decreased. The experimental group showed the following changes: improved Mini-Mental State Examination scores (Z=-2.28; P<0.05), improved mood states (Z=-4.47; P<0.001) and decreased Geriatric Depression Scale scores (Z=3.79; P<0.001). There were no significant changes for the experimental group in cortisol levels. By comparison, the control group showed: decreased mood states (Z=2.53; P<0.011), increased Geriatric Depression Scale scores (Z=4.34; P<0.001) and significant increases in cortisol levels (Z=2.62; P<0.009). The Laughing Qigong Program has shown to be an effective, cost-effective non-pharmacological therapy for cognitive impairment, mood states and elderly depression.

The DeStress for Success Program: Effects of a stress education program on cortisol levels and depressive symptomatology in adolescents making the transition to high school

Various studies have shown that increased activity of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis can predict the onset of adolescent depressive symptomatology. We have previously shown that adolescents making the transition to high school present a significant increase in cortisol levels, the main product of HPA axis activation. In the present study, we evaluated whether a school-based education program developed according to the current state of knowledge on stress in psychoneuroendocrinology decreases cortisol levels and/or depressive symptoms in adolescents making the transition to high school. Participants were 504 Year 7 high school students from two private schools in the Montreal area. Adolescents of one school were exposed to the DeStress for Success Program while adolescents from the other school served as controls. Salivary cortisol levels and depressive symptomatology were measured before, immediately after as well as 3months after exposure to the program. Measures of negative mood were obtained at baseline in order to determine whether adolescents starting high school with specific negative moods were differentially responsive to the program. The results show that only adolescents starting high school with high levels of anger responded to the intervention with a significant decrease in cortisol levels. Moreover, we found that adolescents who took part in the intervention and showed decreasing cortisol levels following the intervention (responders) were 2.45 times less at risk to suffer from clinical and subclinical depressive states three months post-intervention in comparison to adolescents who showed increasing cortisol levels following the intervention (nonresponders). This study provides the first evidence that a school-based program on stress is effective at decreasing cortisol levels and depressive symptomatology in adolescents making the transition to high school and it helps explain which adolescents are sensitive to the program and what are some of the characteristics of these individuals.

Unconscious Fearful Priming Followed by a Psychosocial Stress Test Results in Higher Cortisol Levels

Human perception of stress includes an automatic pathway that processes subliminal presented stimuli below the threshold of conscious awareness. Subliminal stimuli can therefore activate the physiologic stress system. Unconscious emotional signals were shown to significantly moderate reactions and responses to subsequent stimuli, an effect called 'priming'. We hypothesized that subliminal presentation of a fearful signal during the Stroop task compared with an emotionally neutral one will prime stress reactivity in a subsequently applied psychosocial stress task, thereby yielding a significant increase in salivary cortisol. Half of 36 participants were repeatedly presented either a fearful face or a neutral one. After this, all underwent a psychosocial stress task. The fearful group showed a significant increase in cortisol levels (p = 0.022). This change was not affected by sex, age and body mass index, and it also did not change when taking resting cortisol levels into account. Post-hoc analyses showed that the increase in cortisol in the fearful group started immediately after the psychosocial stress test. Hence, subliminal exposure to a fearful signal in combination with the Stroop and followed by a psychosocial stress test leads to an increase in stress reactivity.

GH responses to two consecutive bouts of respiratory muscle endurance training in healthy adults.

Repetition of voluntary exercise bouts and of different pharmacological GH-releasing stimuli at 2-h intervals is associated with a complete abolishment of GH responsiveness. By contrast, a different pattern is observed after repeated neuromuscular electrostimulation, which is characterized by preservation of GH responsiveness. Aim of the study was to evaluate GH responses to repeated bouts of respiratory muscle endurance training (RMET) by mean of a specific commercially available device (Spiro Tiger®). Eight healthy men underwent an incremental progressive RMET protocol of 11 daily sessions. Blood samplings for GH, cortisol and lactate (LA) determinations were collected during the 12th session, which was composed of two consecutive bouts of RMET (of identical intensity and duration: 1 min at a respiration rate of 28 acts/min, 5 min at 32 acts/min, 5 min at 34 acts/min, 4 min at 36 acts/min) at a 2 h interval. Baseline GH levels (mean: 0.9±0.4 ng/ml) significantly (p<0.01) increased after the first bout of RMET (peak: 15.7±4.0 ng/ml). The administration of the second bout of RMET resulted in a significantly lower (p<0.05) GH increase (peak: 3.9±0.8 ng/ml) in comparison with the first one. Baseline LA levels (mean: 1.2±0.1 mmol/l) significantly increased (p<0.001) after the first bout of RMET (peak: 2.3±0.2 mmol/l). The administration of the second RMET bout resulted in a comparable LA increase (from a basal value of 1.2±0.1 mmol/l up to a peak of 2.0±0.1 mmol/l, p<0.001). The first bout of RMET caused a significant increase of cortisol levels (p<0.01), starting from a basal mean value of 142.9±9.4 ng/ml up to a peak of 188.8±10.3 ng/ml. By contrast, the second bout of RMET did not induce any significant change of cortisol levels (basal: 149.1±9.0 ng/ml, peak: 168.5±5.1 ng/ml). In conclusion, a single bout of RMET is capable of stimulating GH and cortisol secretions and LA production. When a second bout is repeated after 2 h, there is a blunting of GH and cortisol responses with a preservation of LA release. Further studies are needed to schedule long-term RMET protocols capable of persistently stimulating GH-IGF-I release and to maximally enhance the ergogenic and metabolic benefits of this intervention either in normal subjects (e.g. athletes) or patients with an impairment of motor capabilities requested to perform normal daily activities (i.e. severely obese and elderly people).

Psychological and Physiological Response of Students to Different Types of Stress Management Programs

To design, implement, and examine the psychoneuroendocrine responses of three different types of stress management programs. Randomly assigned. A pre/post experimental design comparing variables between three different programs and a control group. The first program included training in deep breathing, relaxation response, meditation, and guided imagery techniques (RRGI). The second program included training in cognitive behavioral techniques (CB). The third program included both RRGI and CB (RRGICB). The study was conducted at Buenos Aires University. Participants (N = 52) were undergraduate students. Anxiety, anger, hopelessness, neuroticism, respiration rate, and salivary cortisol levels were assessed. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to investigate differences in pre and post variables. Subjects in the RRGI group showed significantly lower levels of anxiety (p < .011), anger (p < .012), neuroticism (p < .01), respiratory rate (p < .002), hopelessness (p < .01), and salivary cortisol (p < .002) after the treatment. Subjects in the CB group showed significantly lower levels of anxiety (p < .018), anger (p < .037), and neuroticism (p < .03) after the treatment. Subjects in the RRGICB group showed significantly lower levels of anxiety (p < .001), anger (p < .001), neuroticism (p < .008), hopelessness (p < .01), respiratory rate (p < .001), and salivary cortisol (p < .002) after the treatment. Subjects in the control group showed only one variable modification, a significant increase in cortisol levels (p < .004). The combination of deep breathing, relaxation response, meditation, and guided imagery techniques with CB seems to be effective at helping people to deal with stress.

Effects of acute exposure to 2-phenoxyethanol, clove oil, MS-222, and metomidate on primary and secondary stress responses in Senegalese sole ( Solea senegalensis Kaup 1858)

The present study investigated possible stress effects in juvenile Solea senegalensis caused by exposure for 5, 10, 20 and 30 min to the anaesthetic agents 2-phenoxyethanol (500 mg L − 1 ), clove oil (80 mg L − 1 ), MS-222 (200 mg L − 1 ) and metomidate (6 mg L − 1 ). The effects were also assessed 24 h after the longest exposure (30 min), and after killing the fish with a sharp blow to the head. Levels of cortisol, haematocrit, haemoglobin, glucose and lactate were measured in the fish as indicators of stress. The plasma concentrations of cortisol increased significantly after 20 min exposure to 2-phenoxyethanol, and after 20 and 30 min exposure to clove oil and MS-222. The greatest increases occurred after 30 min exposure to clove oil and MS-222, and 20 min exposure to 2-phenoxyethanol. With metomidate, significant increases in cortisol levels were only observed after 10 min exposure, and the magnitude of the increases was much lower than after exposure to the other anaesthetics. None of the anaesthetic agents induced significant changes in the haematocrit or haemoglobin levels. By contrast, the concentration of glucose increased significantly after 10, 20 and 30 min exposure to MS-222, after 20 and 30 min exposure to clove oil and after 30 min exposure to 2-phenoxyethanol and to metomidate. The concentrations of lactate increased significantly after 20 and 30 min exposure to clove oil and to MS-222, and after 30 min exposure to 2-phenoxyethanol and to metomidate. In all cases the levels of the stress indicators returned to control values (5 min exposure), 24 h after 30 min exposure to the anaesthetics. The results indicate that exposure to the anaesthetics induces a stress effect, characterised by stimulation of the hypothalamus–pituitary–interrenal (HPI) axis and to a much lesser extent, the sympathetic nervous system-associated chromaffin tissue.

Assessing stress reactivity indexed via salivary cortisol in preschool-aged children

Identifying a stressor paradigm that elicits mean increases in salivary cortisol in young children has proven elusive, possibly due to characteristics of the paradigms used and how and when cortisol is sampled. We therefore examined the validity of a standardized task (adapted from Lewis and Ramsay, 2002) and procedures developed to assess cortisol reactivity in 215 preschool-aged children. Children participated in a standardized stress task during a home visit, which was videorecorded for future coding. Salivary cortisol samples were obtained at baseline and 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 min post-stress. In support of the validity of the task, significant increases in cortisol levels from baseline were found, followed by a significant decline, and a quadratic function provided a good fit to the data. Children also showed a significant increase in negative emotions and a decrease in positive emotions over the course of the stress task. Results indicate that the task successfully elicited the hypothesized cortisol response in 3-year-old children.

P02-503 - Diurnal pattern of cortisol and amylase output in postnatal depression

ObjectiveThis study investigated the diurnal output of saliva cortisol and saliva amylase in women with symptoms of depression postnatally.MethodTwenty one depressed and 30 non depressed women at 7.5 weeks postpartum, and 21 non perinatal controls, collected saliva at waking, 30 minutes, and three and twelve hours post waking.ResultsWomen who were not depressed postnatally showed a pattern of cortisol secretion over the day similar to non perinatal controls. There was a significant difference in diurnal pattern between postnatally depressed and postnatally non depressed women, due to a difference in the first two time points (waking and +30 mins): compared to the other two groups who each had a significant increase in cortisol levels from waking to +30 minutes, the depressed women had significantly higher cortisol levels at waking and no increase at +30 minutes. Analyses of amylase are underway and will be presented.ConclusionThe lack of a morning rise in the depressed women is similar to that reported for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and chronic fatigue syndrome and may reflect a response, in vulnerable women, to the marked cortisol withdrawal that occurs after delivery. Alternatively it could be a trait marker for women at risk of developing postnatal depression.

Monitoring stress tolerance and occurrences of upper respiratory illness in basketball players by means of psychometric tools and salivary biomarkers

AbstractThe aim of the study was to evaluate the possible relationships between stress tolerance, training load, banal infections and salivary parameters during 4 weeks of regular training in fifteen basketball players. The Daily Analysis of Life Demands for Athletes' questionnaire (sources and symptoms of stress) and the Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey were used on a weekly basis. Salivary cortisol and salivary immunoglobulin A (SIgA) were collected at the beginning (before) and after the study, and measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Ratings of perceived exertion (training load) were also obtained. The results from ANOVA with repeated measures showed greater training loads, number of upper respiratory tract infection episodes and negative sensation to both symptoms and sources of stress, at week 2 (p &lt; 0.05). Significant increases in cortisol levels and decreases in SIgA secretion rate were noted (before to after). Negative sensations to symptoms of stress at week 4 were inversely and significantly correlated with SIgA secretion rate. A positive and significant relationship between sources and symptoms of stress at week 4 and cortisol levels were verified. In summary, an approach incorporating in conjunction psychometric tools and salivary biomarkers could be an efficient means of monitoring reaction to stress in sport. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Cortisol Awakening Response and Hippocampal Volume: Vulnerability for Major Depressive Disorder?

Major depressive disorder is associated with dysregulated basal cortisol levels and small hippocampal (HC) volume. However, it is still debated whether these phenomena are a consequence of the illness or whether they may represent a vulnerability marker existing before the illness onset. Here, we aimed to examine this notion of vulnerability by assessing whether abnormalities in basal cortisol secretion and HC volumes are already present in a sample of healthy young adults who showed varying levels of depressive tendencies, but at subclinical levels. We recruited healthy young men and women from the local university. On the basis of depression scores derived from standard questionnaires, three groups were formed: a control group (n = 27), a subclinical group (n = 23), and a high-risk subclinical group (n = 9). The participants underwent a magnetic resonance imaging scan and collected saliva samples for the assessment of diurnal cortisol levels. Both the subclinical and the high-risk subclinical group failed to show a significant increase in cortisol levels after awakening. The high-risk subclinical group also showed a lower area-under-the-curve increase of cortisol levels after awakening compared with control subjects. In addition, this group also had smaller total HC volume compared with control subjects. The findings from this subclinical sample suggest that dysregulated cortisol awakening response and small HC volume may constitute vulnerability factors for major depressive disorder. Further investigations are needed to discern the mechanisms that may underlie these phenomena.

An inverse relationship between cortisol and BDNF levels in schizophrenia: Data from human postmortem and animal studies

Stress and stress-induced glucocorticoids have been implicated in many neuropsychiatric disorders including schizophrenia. In addition, the neurotrophin, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been shown to play an important role in stress-mediated changes in neuroplasticity, however, the exact relationship between glucocorticoid and BDNF levels in schizophrenia is unclear. Here, we measured the levels of cortisol (a major glucocorticoid hormone in humans) and BDNF in prefrontal cortex and CSF samples of postmortem schizophrenia subjects. We also assessed the levels of cortisol and BDNF in the frontal cortex and plasma from an animal model (the offspring of prenatally stressed rats), which demonstrates several behavioral and neuroendocrine abnormalities similar to schizophrenia. A significant increase in cortisol levels was found in prefrontal cortex and CSF samples from subjects with schizophrenia. The BDNF levels were significantly lower in prefrontal cortex and CSF samples of subjects with schizophrenia (compared to age-matched controls). Data from animal studies indicated that prenatally stressed offspring have significantly higher plasma and prefrontal cortex cortisol, whereas BDNF levels were significantly lower when compared to control, non-stressed offspring. Moreover, olanzapine treatment for 45days starting at postnatal day 60 significantly attenuated prenatal stress-induced increase in cortisol levels in prefrontal cortex, but no change in BDNF levels was observed after olanzapine treatment. A significant negative correlation between BDNF and cortisol was observed in both human and animal studies. The above data from human and animal studies suggest that a negative association between stress hormone, cortisol and neuroprotective molecule, BDNF plays an important role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.