右美托咪定复合舒芬太尼术后镇痛对子宫切除患者皮质醇水平和免疫功能的影响

目的探讨右美托咪定复合舒芬太尼术后镇痛对子宫切除患者皮质醇水平和免疫功能的影响。方法择期子宫切除术患者116例,随机分为2组。A组接受舒芬太尼术后自控镇痛,B组接受右美托咪定复合舒芬太尼术后自控镇痛。记录两组术毕0、2、24h皮质醇水平和免疫功能的变化。结果 A组患者皮质醇水平明显高于B组(P<0.05),IgG、IgA、IgM及CD4~+T细胞含量低于B组,CD8~+T细胞含量高于B组(P<0.05)。结论右美托咪定复合舒芬太尼术后镇痛可更好地降低应激,改善患者皮质醇水平,增强免疫功能。     

Neuroendocrine,epigenetic, and intergenerational effects of general anesthetics

The progress of modern medicine would be impossible without the use of general anesthetics (GAs). Despite advancements in refining anesthesia approaches, the effects of GAs are not fully reversible upon GA withdrawal. Neurocognitive deficiencies attributed to GA exposure may persist in neonates or endure for weeks to years in the elderly. Human studies on the mechanisms of the long-term adverse effects of GAs are needed to improve the safety of general anesthesia but they are hampered not only by ethical limitations specific to human research, but also by a lack of specific biological markers that can be used in human studies to safely and objectively study such effects. The latter can primarily be attributed to an insufficient understanding of the full range of the biological effects induced by GAs and the molecular mechanisms mediating such effects even in rodents, which are far more extensively studied than any other species. Our most recent experimental findings in rodents suggest that GAs may adversely affect many more people than is currently anticipated. Specifically, we have shown that anesthesia with the commonly used GA sevoflurane induces in exposed animals not only neuroendocrine abnormalities (somatic effects), but also epigenetic reprogramming of germ cells (germ cell effects). The latter may pass the neurobehavioral effects of parental sevoflurane exposure to the offspring, who may be affected even at levels of anesthesia that are not harmful to the exposed parents. The large number of patients who require general anesthesia, the even larger number of their future unexposed offspring whose health may be affected, and a growing number of neurodevelopmental disorders of unknown etiology underscore the translational importance of investigating the intergenerational effects of GAs. In this mini review, we discuss emerging experimental findings on neuroendocrine, epigenetic, and intergenerational effects of GAs.     

Free light chains as an emerging biomarker in saliva: Biological variability and comparisons with salivary IgA and steroid hormones

BackgroundSalivary free light chains (FLCs) are an emerging biomarker in health and behavioural research. However, little is known regarding biological variability of salivary FLCs and how they relate to other established salivary biomarkers. This study aimed to investigate the diurnal and day-to-day variation of salivary FLCs and their relationship with salivary IgA and steroid hormones.MethodsA total of 46 healthy adults participated in studies exploring the biological variability of FLCs. Diurnal variation was investigated by collecting saliva samples immediately upon waking, 0.5 h, 3 h, 6 h, 9 h and 14 h post-waking. Saliva samples were assessed for FLCs, IgA, cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Between-day variation in FLCs and IgA was assessed by collecting saliva samples immediately upon waking for seven consecutive days. Participants underwent a dental examination to exclude oral health as a potential confounding variable. Within and between-person day-to day variation was explored in relation to a range of different factors: awakening time, sleep, exercise, well-being and alcohol consumption.ResultsSalivary secretion rates of FLCs decreased following waking and up to 3 h post-waking and then plateaued. This same pattern was observed for IgA. DHEA was stable upon waking and higher levels were seen in the morning with significantly lower levels thereafter. Cortisol levels significantly increased 0.5 h post-waking then continued to decline across the day. FLCs were significantly correlated with IgA but not cortisol or DHEA. Both FLCs and IgA parameters showed day-to-day variability, with coefficients of variation ≥ 40%. Earlier waking time was significantly correlated with higher FLC and IgA secretion rates. Inter-person differences in saliva parameter variability were observed but the degree of variation in FLCs and IgA was related within person. Inter-person day-to-day variation appeared to be uninfluenced by lifestyle or behavioural factors.ConclusionsSaliva FLCs secretion exhibits diurnal fluctuation that mirrors IgA fluctuation. Findings strongly indicate salivary FLC secretion is orchestrated by local plasma cells. FLCs and IgA both showed notable variability day-to-day, which was similar within person and influenced by awakening time. FLCs offer a promising adjunct to IgA in the measurement of oral immune activation.     

Cortisol hypersecretion and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundMorning cortisol levels have been reported to be elevated among patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD); yet no meta-analysis has been conducted to confirm the existence and magnitude of this association. It also remains unclear whether hypercortisolism is a risk factor for AD.MethodsPubMed, EMBASE, and PsycINFO were systematically searched for eligible studies. Cross-sectional data were pooled using random-effects meta-analyses; the differences in morning cortisol levels between patients and cognitively normal controls were quantified. Longitudinal studies were qualitatively synthesised due to methodological heterogeneity.Results17,245 participants from 57 cross-sectional studies and 19 prospective cohort studies were included. Compared with cognitively normal controls, AD patients had moderately increased morning cortisol in blood (g = 0.422, P < 0.001; I² = 48.5 %), saliva (g = 0.540, P < 0.001; I² = 13.6 %), and cerebrospinal fluids (g = 0.565, P = 0.003; I² = 75.3 %). A moderate elevation of morning cortisol was also detected in cerebrospinal fluids from patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) versus controls (g = 0.309, P = 0.001; I² = 0.0 %). Cohort studies suggested that higher morning cortisol may accelerate cognitive decline in MCI or mild AD patients, but the results in cognitively healthy adults were inconsistent.ConclusionsMorning cortisol was confirmed to be moderately elevated in AD patients and may have diagnostic and prognostic values for AD.     

Physical activity as an adjuvant therapy for depression and influence on peripheral inflammatory markers: A randomized clinical trial

IntroductionRegular exercise is recommended for people with major depressive disorder (MDD) by major treatment guidelines (e.g. the NICE guideline, 2009). In addition, an effect of antidepressant (AD) treatment on pro-inflammatory markers has been reported. However, it remains unclear whether physical activity as an adjuvant to AD treatment increases clinical response rates and is associated with levels of inflammatory markers.MethodsA four-week single-blind clinical trial involving forty people with major MDD, divided into an AD group (sertraline) and AD + exercise (40 min/day, four times weekly for four weeks) group was conducted. Peripheral inflammatory markers (IL-12, IL-10, IL-8, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) and cortisol were collected at baseline and at endpoint.ResultsWe observed a significant decrease in cortisol levels over time, but this change did not differ between the AD and AD + exercise groups. None of the other inflammatory markers showed a significant change in level during the trial. Also, most of the individuals who achieved remission were from the AD + exercise group.ConclusionAlthough our study failed to find that the association of physical activity as an adjunct to antidepressants promotes a change in cortisol or interleukins in people with MDD, we found that cortisol seems to be the most sensitive biomarker to antidepressant treatment. Further studies involving larger samples of, longer duration and with other classes of antidepressants and types of exercise should be conducted to better elucidate the link between inflammatory markers and depression.     

心可舒片对房颤合并焦虑状态患者的临床疗效及对皮质醇和甲状腺素水平的影响

目的观察心可舒片治疗房颤合并焦虑状态患者的临床疗效及其对皮质醇和甲状腺素水平的影响。方法入选我院2017年1月至2017年10月收治的房颤合并焦虑状态患者34例,随机分为心可舒治疗组18例及对照组16例,治疗组予以心可舒片口服,观察治疗1月后两组患者的临床症状,并测定治疗前后的皮质醇和甲状腺素水平进行组间对比。结果治疗组患者临床症状较对照组进一步改善,且治疗组皮质醇激素水平较治疗前明显下降,与对照组相比差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05),治疗组T4水平较对照组升高(P<0.05),余甲状腺素水平两组患者差异无统计学意义。结论心可舒片可用于治疗房颤合并焦虑状态的患者,改善症状的同时可降低肾上腺皮质激素皮质醇及升高T4水平。     

Salivary cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels, psychological factors in patients with oral lichen planus

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the salivary levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and cortisol and scores of depression, anxiety and stress in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP).

Study design

Thirty-one patients with a diagnosis of OLP were selected; they were matched by sex and age with 31 control patients. Symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress were investigated by the instruments Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory and Lipp's Inventory of Stress Symptoms for Adults, respectively. Saliva was collected in the morning and at night for the determination of DHEA and cortisol levels by radioimmunoassay.

Results

There was no significant difference between the groups with respect to depression (P = 0.832), anxiety (P = 0.061) or stress (P = 0.611), or with respect to morning and night salivary levels of DHEA (P = 0.888, P = 0.297) and cortisol (P = 0.443, P = 0.983).

Conclusions

The results suggest an association of OLP with anxiety. However, DHEA and cortisol levels did not differ between groups, which does not support any neuroendocrine aetiology for OLP.     

有氧运动对乳腺癌化疗后癌因性疲乏患者血清促肾上腺皮质激素和皮质醇水平的影响

目的探讨有氧运动对乳腺癌化疗后癌因性疲乏(CRF)患者血清促肾上腺皮质激素(ACTH)和皮质醇(Cor水平的影响。方法选取2017年1月至2019年6月我院门诊就诊的乳腺癌化疗后CRF患者88例,随机分为干预组和对照组,每组各44例。两组均予知识宣教、心理干预和饮食指导等基本治疗措施,干预组在此基础上加有氧运动治疗,两组均治疗12周。观察并比较两组治疗前与治疗12周后血清ACTH和Cor水平及CRF症状的变化。结果治疗12周后,两组血清Cor水平较治疗前明显上升,ACTH水平明显下降(P0.05或P0.01),且干预组变化幅度较对照组更明显(P0.05);两组各个维度Piper疲乏评分较前明显下降(P0.05或P0.01),且干预组下降幅度较对照组更明显(P0.05)。结论有氧运动用于乳腺癌化疗后CRF患者能更明显升高血清Cor水平,降低血清ACTH水平,调节下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺皮质轴功能紊乱。     

Alexithymia is linked to neurocognitive,psychological, neuroendocrine,and immune dysfunction in persons living with HIV

The neuropathological changes resulting from Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection may manifest in alexithymia (AL), a multidimensional trait characterized by impairments in the cognitive assimilation of feelings and emotions. A sample of 93 HIV survivors scoring high, i.e., ⩾74 on the 26-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-26), were compared to 79 low AL (TAS-26 ⩽ 54) survivors on measures of neurocognitive, psychological, neuroendocrine and immune function. Neurocognitive function was evinced by a standardized test of psychomotor speed, cognitive flexibility and task switching ability, HIV Dementia and general cognitive status. Patients were also screened for levels of depression, anxiety and psychological stress. A 24-h urinary norepinephrine (NE) and cortisol (CORT) collection was taken; blood was drawn for T lymphocyte subset counts (CD4+CD3+) and HIV-1 viral load. Alexithymic patients exhibited higher levels of executive dysfunction, psychological distress, norepinephrine-to-cortisol (NE/CORT) ratio and viral load. Linear regression models accounting for sociodemographic and disease-related variables revealed two AL subscales, difficulties identifying and describing feelings, predicted and explained a significant proportion of variance in the outcome measures. Specifically, poorer executive task-switching/cognitive flexibility was associated with greater difficulty describing feelings; dysregulated autonomic response (high NE/CORT ratio) and depressive symptoms were predicted by difficulty identifying feelings; higher levels of anxiety and psychological stress were both predicted by greater difficulty describing and identifying feelings. Overall, the psychoneuroimmunological profile of alexithymia in HIV positive persons at mid-stage of infection suggests a greater vulnerability for disease progression.