Effect of compassion meditation on neuroendocrine, innate immune and behavioral responses to psychosocial stress

Meditation practices may impact physiological pathways that are modulated by stress and relevant to disease. While much attention has been paid to meditation practices that emphasize calming the mind, improving focused attention, or developing mindfulness, less is known about meditation practices that foster compassion. Accordingly, the current study examined the effect of compassion meditation on innate immune, neuroendocrine and behavioral responses to psychosocial stress and evaluated the degree to which engagement in meditation practice influenced stress reactivity. Sixty-one healthy adults were randomized to 6 weeks of training in compassion meditation (n=33) or participation in a health discussion control group (n=28) followed by exposure to a standardized laboratory stressor (Trier social stress test [TSST]). Physiologic and behavioral responses to the TSST were determined by repeated assessments of plasma concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6 and cortisol as well as total distress scores on the Profile of Mood States (POMS). No main effect of group assignment on TSST responses was found for IL-6, cortisol or POMS scores. However, within the meditation group, increased meditation practice was correlated with decreased TSST-induced IL-6 (r(p)=-0.46, p=0.008) and POMS distress scores (r(p)=-0.43, p=0.014). Moreover, individuals with meditation practice times above the median exhibited lower TSST-induced IL-6 and POMS distress scores compared to individuals below the median, who did not differ from controls. These data suggest that engagement in compassion meditation may reduce stress-induced immune and behavioral responses, although future studies are required to determine whether individuals who engage in compassion meditation techniques are more likely to exhibit reduced stress reactivity.     

The role of deep breathing on stress

The objective of this study was to verify, in a sample of university students, whether a relaxing technique called deep breathing (stress Intervention Functional IFA) is capable to improve the mood and to reduce the levels of stress. Thirty-eight adult healthy subjects (aged between 18 and 28 years) volunteered the study. They were randomly divided in two groups, the Experimental Group (N = 19) and the Control Group (N = 19). The subjects of the Experimental Group were submitted, once per week, to 10 treatment’s sessions of Anti-stress Protocol, each lasting 90 min, whereas subjects of the Control Group sat ten times for 90 min, once per week, without practicing any treatment. The psychological state of mood and stress was evaluated using Measurement of Psychological Stress (MSP) and Profile of Mood State (POMS), while the biological profile of the stress was detected by measuring the heart rate and the salivary cortisol. The results obtained from the present research support the possibility that deep breathing technique is capable to induce an effective improvement in mood and stress both in terms of self-reported evaluations (MPS and POMS) and of objective parameters, such as heart rate and salivary cortisol levels. No statistically significant difference was found between men and women.     

Relaxation and guided imagery program in patients with breast cancer undergoing radiotherapy is not associated with neuroimmunomodulatory effects

OBJECTIVE: Treatment of breast cancer is usually associated with significant psychological stress. In this study, we examined the effects of relaxation and visualization therapy (RVT) on psychological distress, cortisol levels, and immunological parameters of breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. METHODS: Participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental (n=20) who underwent group RVT for 24 consecutive days or control group (n=14) who were on radiotherapy only. Psychological scores (stress, anxiety, and depression) were measured by structured clinical interviews. Salivary cortisol was assessed along the day. Lymphocytes were isolated and cultured to measure T-cell proliferation and sensitivity to glucocorticoids (GCs). RESULTS: RVT was effective to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression scores (all P<.05). However, cortisol levels as well as proliferation remained unchanged following RVT. Although T cells of experimental group were more sensitive to GCs than cells of controls at baseline, no changes were noted following RVT. Cortisol levels were positively correlated to anxiety and depression scores and inversely correlated to T-cell proliferation and sensitivity to GCs. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the psychological intervention was capable to attenuate the emotional distress presented during radiotherapy treatment. A longer RVT or worse psychological morbidity at baseline may be necessary to translate psychological into biological changes.     

Cortisol mediates redistribution of CD8+ but not of CD56+ cells after the psychological stress of public speaking

The present study investigated the question if a pharmacological blockade of cortisol release with stress affects lymphocyte redistribution in healthy volunteers. It was expected that the well known increases in the number of CD8+ (T-suppressor/cytotoxic cells) and CD56+ (natural killer cells) after stress would not be downregulated in the absence of an appropriate cortisol response, since redistribution is markedly influenced by glucocorticoids. In a double blind design, forty healthy male volunteers were exposed to a brief psychological stressor (public speaking) and received a single oral dose of dexamethasone [DEX] (N=20) or placebo (N=20) the evening before the main experiment. Ratings on emotional states and blood samples for determination of hormones, CD8+, and CD56+ cell counts were obtained at different time points during the experiment.Stress of public speaking led to highly significant increases in catecholamine and cortisol concentrations, to subjective discomfort and, most pronounced, to high increases in the number of CD8+ and CD56+ cells. DEX neither influenced baseline levels of mood, catecholamines and cell numbers nor stress induced responses of mood and catecholamines. However, during the whole experiment cortisol concentrations were suppressed in the DEX-condition and the number of CD8+, but not CD56+, cells remained elevated at the end of the session, while in the placebo condition the numbers of these cells were decreased to baseline levels. The data demonstrate that cortisol seems to play an important role in stress induced redistribution patterns of CD8+ but not CD56+ cells. This, however, can be explained by different migration processes between those cells (e.g. different targets of migration) and, therefore, different glucocorticoid influences on target tissues.     

Neuroimmunological function in parents of children suffering from cancer

The main aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between depression and immunological function in parents of children with cancer. Thirty-two parents participated in the study. The parents completed the following assessments: a list of major stressful events in a Hemato-Oncology ward, beck depression inventory II (BDI-II), posttraumatic diagnostic scale (PDS) and quality of life (QOL) questionnaire. A single blood sample was drawn from parents for evaluation of cortisol levels and lymphocyte cell subgroups. The parents were divided into two groups: Those who suffered from depression as defined by BDI-II cutoff score of 14 (depressed parents (DP), n = 7), and non-depressed parents (non-DP, n = 25). In parents of children with cancer the DP group had statistically significantly higher stressful event scores, dysfunction scores (from the PDS) and CD8 percentage compared to the non-DP group. QOL, CD4 percentage and CD4/CD8 ratio were significantly lower in the DP group. The BDI scores significantly positively correlated with events and dysfunctional scores, and significantly negatively correlated with QOL scores and CD4/CD8 ratio. High psychiatric morbidity was found in parents of children with cancer. The findings of altered immunity in DP provide further evidence that the physiological response to stress and depression may alter immune functions.     

Uncoupling of the sympathetic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in inflammatory bowel disease?

In inflammatory diseases such as Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), one would expect that TNF or IL-6 stimulates the hypothalamus, which activates the hypothalamus-autonomic nervous system (HANS) axis and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in a parallel fashion. The study was initiated in order to investigate the parallelism of the HANS and HPA axes. We measured a typical marker of the HANS axis (neuropeptide Y, NPY) and of the HPA axis (serum cortisol). Plasma NPY was positively correlated with serum cortisol in control subjects (R(Rank)=0.259, p=0.026), which is a sign for the parallel activation of the two axes in healthy subjects. However, serum cortisol was not correlated with plasma NPY in CD or UC patients. In the active CD or UC, inclusion of patients with and without prior prednisolone therapy revealed a negative correlation between the serum cortisol and plasma NPY (CD: R(Rank)=-0.285, p<0.05; UC: R(Rank)=-0.510, p<0.01). This study demonstrates that the two stress axes seem to act in a parallel fashion in control subjects but are uncoupled in IBD patients. Uncoupling of these two axes may be partly due to prior corticosteroid therapy, whereas inverse coupling is a result of simultaneous corticosteroid therapy. It is discussed how the uncoupling of the two anti-inflammatory stress axes can appear.     

Plasma neuropeptide-Y concentrations in humans exposed to military survival training.

BACKGROUND: Neuropeptide-Y (NPY) is present in extensive neuronal systems of the brain and is present in high concentrations in cell bodies and terminals in the amygdala. Preclinical studies have shown that injections of NPY into the central nucleus of the amygdala function as a central anxiolytic and buffer against the effects of stress. The objective of this study was to assess plasma NPY immunoreactivity in healthy soldiers participating in high intensity military training at the U.S. Army survival school. The Army survival school provides a means of observing individuals under high levels of physical, environmental, and psychological stress, and consequently is considered a reasonable analogue to stress incurred as a result of war or other catastrophic experiences. METHODS: Plasma levels of NPY were assessed at baseline (prior to initiation of training), and 24 hours after the conclusion of survival training in 49 subjects, and at baseline and during the Prisoner of War (P.O.W.) experience (immediately after exposure to a military interrogation) in 21 additional subjects. RESULTS: Plasma NPY levels were significantly increased compared to baseline following interrogations and were significantly higher in Special Forces soldiers, compared to non-Special Forces soldiers. NPY elicited by interrogation stress was significantly correlated to the subjects' behavior during interrogations and tended to be negatively correlated to symptoms of reported dissociation. Twenty-four hours after the conclusion of survival training, NPY had returned to baseline in Special Forces soldiers, but remained significantly lower than baseline values in non-Special Forces soldiers. NPY was positively correlated with both cortisol and behavioral performance under stress. NPY was negatively related to psychological symptoms of dissociation. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence that uncontrollable stress significantly increases plasma NPY in humans, and when extended, produces a significant depletion of plasma NPY. Stress-induced alterations of plasma NPY were significantly different in Special Forces soldiers compared to non-Special Forces soldiers. These data support the idea that NPY may be involved in the enhanced stress resilience seen in humans.     

Plasma cortisol and neuropeptide Y in female victims of intimate partner violence

BACKGROUND: The experience of intimate partner violence (physical and sexual violence) has been linked to psychiatric disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder, yet data on the neuroendocrine profile in this population is sparse. This study sought to examine baseline plasma cortisol and neuropeptide Y (NPY) levels in female victims of intimate partner violence (IPV). METHODS: Morning plasma samples were collected for cortisol and NPY determination in 22 women with histories of IPV (10 with current PTSD, 12 without current or lifetime PTSD) and 16 non-abused controls. RESULTS: Mean cortisol levels were significantly lower in IPV subjects compared with controls, but did not distinguish IPV subjects with and without PTSD. There were no significant differences in mean NPY levels between the groups. Neither cortisol nor NPY levels were significantly correlated with PTSD symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary findings suggest that victims of IPV, like women traumatized by childhood abuse, may be characterized by alterations in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis functioning, however, further study is needed to identify specific stress system disturbances in this group.     

Relaxation and guided imagery program in patients with breast cancer undergoing radiotherapy is not associated with neuroimmunomodulatory effects

ObjectiveTreatment of breast cancer is usually associated with significant psychological stress. In this study, we examined the effects of relaxation and visualization therapy (RVT) on psychological distress, cortisol levels, and immunological parameters of breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.MethodsParticipants were randomly assigned to either the experimental (n=20) who underwent group RVT for 24 consecutive days or control group (n=14) who were on radiotherapy only. Psychological scores (stress, anxiety, and depression) were measured by structured clinical interviews. Salivary cortisol was assessed along the day. Lymphocytes were isolated and cultured to measure T-cell proliferation and sensitivity to glucocorticoids (GCs).ResultsRVT was effective to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression scores (all P<.05). However, cortisol levels as well as proliferation remained unchanged following RVT. Although T cells of experimental group were more sensitive to GCs than cells of controls at baseline, no changes were noted following RVT. Cortisol levels were positively correlated to anxiety and depression scores and inversely correlated to T-cell proliferation and sensitivity to GCs.ConclusionWe conclude that the psychological intervention was capable to attenuate the emotional distress presented during radiotherapy treatment. A longer RVT or worse psychological morbidity at baseline may be necessary to translate psychological into biological changes.     

Effect of 12-hour infusion of naloxone on mood and cognition in normal male volunteers.

The effects of a 12-hour naloxone infusion on mood, cognition, and plasma cortisol levels were evaluated in eight normal subjects. The dosage used was a 10 mg dose plus 7 mg/hr (total = 94 mg). Naloxone induced a significant rise in serum cortisol and also induced cognitive impairment, as shown by increased choice reaction time, reduced ability to recall the order of letters and numbers, and reduced accuracy of spatial orientation. The rise in cortisol induced by naloxone was significantly correlated with the rise in the Profile of Mood Scale (POMS) score, indicative of dysphoria. Finally, performance on the spatial orientation task was highly negatively correlated with the peak POMS score after naloxone. From these data and previous studies it is concluded that opioid receptors of low sensitivity to naloxone may mediate a common mechanism regulating the pituitary-adrenal axis' mood, and cognitive function during stress. Personality traits may account for the large individual variability reported in previous studies.     

Interindividual differences in stress sensitivity: basal and stress-induced cortisol levels differentially predict neural vigilance processing under stress

Stress exposure is known to precipitate psychological disorders. However, large differences exist in how individuals respond to stressful situations. A major marker for stress sensitivity is hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA)-axis function. Here, we studied how interindividual variance in both basal cortisol levels and stress-induced cortisol responses predicts differences in neural vigilance processing during stress exposure. Implementing a randomized, counterbalanced, crossover design, 120 healthy male participants were exposed to a stress-induction and control procedure, followed by an emotional perception task (viewing fearful and happy faces) during fMRI scanning. Stress sensitivity was assessed using physiological (salivary cortisol levels) and psychological measures (trait questionnaires). High stress-induced cortisol responses were associated with increased stress sensitivity as assessed by psychological questionnaires, a stronger stress-induced increase in medial temporal activity and greater differential amygdala responses to fearful as opposed to happy faces under control conditions. In contrast, high basal cortisol levels were related to relative stress resilience as reflected by higher extraversion scores, a lower stress-induced increase in amygdala activity and enhanced differential processing of fearful compared with happy faces under stress. These findings seem to reflect a critical role for HPA-axis signaling in stress coping; higher basal levels indicate stress resilience, whereas higher cortisol responsivity to stress might facilitate recovery in those individuals prone to react sensitively to stress.     

Low-dose glucocorticoid therapy complements the pituitary-adrenocortical system and reduces anxiety and insomnia in myasthenia gravis patients

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder generally mediated by antibodies against the acetylcholine receptors of the skeletal muscles. Depending on the disease burden, MG patients may experience chronic dysregulation of both the hormonal stress axis and the immune system, consequently, aggravating the disease itself but also leading to secondary psychopathological abnormalities. A long-term clinical course requires long-term glucocorticoid (GC) therapy, which may change the psychological state by affecting the pituitary-adrenocortical system in MG patients. In this study, we investigated the function of the pituitary-adrenocortical system in MG patients who were treated with prednisolone (PSL) and evaluated their quality of life by using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey and the 28-item general health questionnaire (GHQ-28). ACTH and cortisol levels in the plasma of patients who were treated with PSL (PSL[+] group, n = 18) were lower than those in the plasma of patients who were treated without PSL (PSL[-] group, n = 29; P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). In the PSL(+) group, we confirmed that cortisol levels negatively correlated with daily PSL dosages (P < 0.05). The anxiety and depression scores from the GHQ-28 in the PSL(+) group were lower than those in the PSL(-) group (P < 0.05, respectively). There was no significant correlation between cortisol levels and corticotropin levels in plasma of the PSL(-) group. However, we confirmed that corticotropin levels positively correlated with cortisol levels in plasma (P < 0.01) and negatively correlated with anxiety/insomnia scores from the GHQ-28 (P < 0.05) in the PSL(+) group. In conclusion, low-dose GC treatment complemented the pituitary-adrenocortical system and improved the psychological state in MG patients.     

Social hierarchy and adrenocortical stress reactivity in men

Baseline and stress induced salivary cortisol levels were investigated in 63 army recruits at the beginning and the end of six week boot camp training. At the beginning of the training, the recruits were randomly distributed to nine groups, and weekly measurements of the social hierarchy within each group were obtained. Independent of the social position, baseline levels increased over the first weeks of the training period. Under experimental psychological stress, salivary cortisol levels highly increased in socially dominant subjects (14.0 nmol/l), while only a modest elevation was observed in subordinate men (2.9 nmol/l). Similar differences in response patterns were observed under physical stress. At the end of the training, blunted cortisol responses were observed to both psychological and physical stress. The data suggest a close relationship between social status and pituitary-adrenal responsiveness to psychological stress in men.     

Visceral pain and public speaking stress: neuroendocrine and immune cell responses in healthy subjects

Whereas responses to psychological stressors are well-characterized, little is known regarding responses to painful visceral stimuli. We analyzed the emotional, cardiovascular, neuroendocrine, and cellular immune responses to painful rectal stimulation and psychological stress in healthy individuals. Eleven healthy subjects were studied in three conditions on separate days: painful rectal distension, public speaking stress, and rest. Blood was drawn for endocrinological and immunological analyses; heart rate and blood pressure were measured continuously; state anxiety was assessed with a questionnaire (STAI-S). Anxiety scores were highest in the rectal distension condition. This was evident following rectal distension (mean STAI-S scores: 44.2+/-3.5 post-distension vs. 36.6+/-3.8 post-speech, p<.05), but anxiety was also elevated at baseline (41.6+/-3.9 vs. 32+/-3.2 recovery, p<.01). This anticipatory effect was reflected by elevated baseline cortisol (p<.05) and baseline ACTH (p<.01) levels, as well as circulating lymphocytes and lymphocyte subsets, including decreased basal CD3+CD4+ cells (p<.05) and increased CD16+CD56+ cells (p=.06) compared to rest. Both public speech and rectal distension induced cardiovascular activation, but the effect was more pronounced following rectal distension (+63.8+/-9.4 mmHg in response to distension vs. +36.4+/-6.2 mmHg in response to speech for systolic BP, p<.05). Different response patterns were also observed in the distribution of circulating leukocytes and lymphocyte subsets, including CD16+CD56+ cells (p<.05). An acute visceral pain stimulus causes profound emotional, neuroendocrine, and immune cell responses, which are markedly affected by anticipatory anxiety. These findings may have implications for conditions associated with visceral hyperalgesia.     

Post-inflammatory fatigue in sarcoidosis: personality profiles, psychological symptoms and stress hormones

ObjectivesChronic fatigue following inflammatory diseases has been well documented. However, little is known about possible risk factors of chronic post-inflammatory fatigue. The aim of this study was to investigate whether chronic post-inflammatory fatigue after clinical remission of the disease sarcoidosis is associated with specific dimensions of personality, psychological symptoms and baseline levels of stress hormones.MethodsThirty-seven non-fatigued and 33 fatigued patients in clinical remission of sarcoidosis were evaluated with the Temperament and Character Inventory-short form (TCI); the Symptom CheckList-90 (SCL), and the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS). Baseline levels of ACTH and cortisol were measured in plasma. Principal component analysis with orthogonal rotation (varimax) was conducted on all personality, psychological and stress hormone data in order to obtain a smaller set of components. Logistic regression was performed to associate these components with chronic post-inflammatory fatigue.ResultsPrincipal component analyses identified 5 components, of which two components were significantly associated with chronic post-inflammatory fatigue. The first component comprised the personality trait Harm Avoidance and all SCL-subscales except Sleep. The second component consisted of baseline levels ACTH and cortisol, and showed an inverse association with chronic post-inflammatory fatigue. The 3 other components, consisting of respectively SCL-Sleep, TCI-Novelty Seeking-Reward Dependence-Self Transcendence, and TCI-Persistence, were not significantly associated with chronic fatigue.ConclusionChronic post-inflammatory fatigue after clinical remission of sarcoidosis is associated with a triad of risk factors: a specific personality profile with profound neurotic characteristics in combination with high levels of psychological distress, and decreased baseline ACTH/cortisol levels.     

DHEAS and POMS measures identify cocaine dependence treatment outcome

Early attrition is a significant problem in the treatment of cocaine dependence, but it is unclear why some patients succeed in treatment while others relapse or drop out of treatment without a demonstrated relapse. The goal of this study was to determine whether baseline levels of select hormones, including the adrenal hormone and excitatory neurosteroid dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), would distinguish between treatment outcome groups. Based on the literature, completion of 90 days of treatment was established as a key outcome variable. METHODS: Quantitative urine levels of the cocaine metabolite benzoylecgonine (BE) and other substance of abuse analytes, plasma levels of DHEAS, DHEA, cortisol, and prolactin, and the profile of mood states (POMS) were serially measured in 38 male cocaine-dependent (DSM-IV) patients and in 28 controls of similar gender and age over a six month study. Exclusion criteria for the patients and controls included Axis I mood, anxiety or psychotic disorders. The patients could not manifest substance dependence except to cocaine. The patients and controls received remuneration for urine and blood collection. Blood samples for hormone levels were obtained between 8 and 10 a.m. on days 1, 14 and 21 of a 21-day inpatient treatment program and throughout 6 months of outpatient study visits at 45-day intervals. RESULTS: Attrition from treatment and study appointments occurred predominately at the junction between inpatient and outpatient programs. Forty percent of patients made the transition to outpatient treatment and remained abstinent and in treatment for a median of 103 days (ABST). Forty-two percent of patients dropped out of treatment during the inpatient stay or never returned after completing the inpatient program (DO) and 18% had a documented relapse either during, or within the first week after, the inpatient stay (REL). POMS total scores were elevated at treatment entry for both the ABST and DO groups. Plasma DHEAS levels in the DO patients were decreased compared to controls and increased in the ABST patients. POMS total scores for the REL patients at baseline were at control levels. Baseline cortisol levels were not statistically different between the outcome groups, though they were elevated for all cocaine patient groups. When treatment outcome was collapsed into whether patients completed (ABST) or did not complete 90 days of treatment (90N), ABST plasma DHEAS and cortisol were significantly elevated compared to the 90N patients and controls across the first 3 weeks of cocaine withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS: At treatment entry, each of the three patient outcome groups was identified by levels of circulating DHEAS and distressed mood. In the ABST patients, distressed mood during withdrawal may have been mitigated through antidepressant-like actions of enhanced endogenous DHEAS activity, thus contributing to improved abstinence and treatment retention. Patients, such as the DO group, with high levels of distressed mood at treatment entry and low DHEAS levels may benefit from adjunctive pharmacotherapy that targets DHEAS and POMS measures. Patients, such as the REL group, who lack distressed mood at treatment entry, may require intense application of motivational approaches plus residential treatment.     

Effect of coping on endocrinoimmune functions in different stress situations

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of coping strategies on the endocrine and immune functions in different stress situations. Thirty-eight medical students were enrolled in this study. Cell-mediated immune function was measured using the lymphocyte proliferative response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) production during the nonexamination period and during the preexamination period. Endocrine functions were assessed by measuring the plasma levels of norepinephrine, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol. The Global Assessment of Recent Stress (GARS) scale, the Stress Response Inventory, the anxiety, depression, and somatization subscales of the Symptom Checklist-90-revised, the Way of Coping-revised, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale and the Anger Expression Scale were used as psychometric measures. The subjects with higher levels of total GARS scores showed significantly higher IL-2 production during the nonexam period than those with lower levels of total GARS scores. During the same period, IL-2 production in the less positive reappraisal group was significantly higher than in the more positive reappraisal group. Lymphocyte proliferation in the group seeking less social support was also significantly higher than in the group seeking more social support. However, no significant association was found between the coping strategies and each of the hormone levels. These results suggest that positive reappraisal and seeking social support can be associated with the alteration of immune function during a chronic stress period. In particular, positive reappraisal is likely to reverse the stress-induced immune responses. This study did not find that neuroendocrine function such as the sympathetic-adrenal medullary axis or the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is playing a mediating role in the relationship between coping and immunity.     

Stress at work alters serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and plasma 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) levels in healthy volunteers: BDNF and MHPG as possible biological markers of mental stress?

There is growing evidence that blood levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and catecholamine, and cytokines are related to not only to depressive, suicidal, and anxious states but also to depression-associated personality traits. Psychological job stress is well known to lead to symptoms of depression and anxiety. In the present study, we examined effects of psychological job stress on serum levels of BDNF and plasma levels of catecholamine metabolites, and cytokines in healthy volunteers (n=106, male/female=42/64, age=36+/-12 yr) working in a hospital setting. The values (mean+/-SD) of scores for stress items in the Stress and Arousal Check List (s-SACL), plasma MHPG levels, and, serum BDNF levels in all participants were 7.2+/-3.3, 5.2+/-3.4 ng/mL, and 23.3+/-14.7 ng/mL, respectively. A negative correlation was found between scores for s-SACL and serum BDNF levels (rho=-0.211, p=0.022). A positive correlation was also found between scores on the s-SACL and plasma levels of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) (rho=0.416, p=0.01), but not homovanillic acid (HVA). No relationship was found between s-SACL scores and plasma levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha). These results suggest that serum BDNF levels and plasma MHPG levels might be biological markers reflective of psychological job stress in hospital employees.     

Adult attachment and social support interact to reduce psychological but not cortisol responses to stress

OBJECTIVE: Adult attachment has been suggested to mediate the effect of social support on stress protection. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of adult attachment and social support on psychological and endocrine responses to psychosocial stress. METHODS: Sixty-three healthy men who were married or cohabiting were randomly assigned to receive either instructed social support from their partner or no social support before being exposed to a standardized psychosocial stressor (Trier Social Stress Test). Attachment was determined using the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised questionnaire. State anxiety, mood, and salivary cortisol levels were repeatedly assessed before and after stress. RESULTS: Secure attachment was associated with stronger decreases in state anxiety levels following stress exposure. More importantly, the combination of social support and secure attachment exhibited the lowest anxiety levels after stress (interaction effect). Social support alone reduced cortisol responses to stress, whereas secure attachment did not influence cortisol concentrations. CONCLUSION: This first study on the interaction of adult attachment and social support in terms of psychological and endocrine stress responses concurs with previous studies suggesting an important protective role of attachment for psychological stress responsiveness. However, attachment did not directly moderate cortisol responses to acute stress.     

Neuropeptide-Y, cortisol, and subjective distress in humans exposed to acute stress: replication and extension of previous report.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported that stress-related release of cortisol and neuropeptide-Y (NPY) were significantly and positively associated in U.S. Army soldiers participating in survival training. Furthermore, greater levels of NPY were observed in individuals exhibiting fewer psychologic symptoms of dissociation during stress. This study tested whether these findings would be replicated in a sample of U.S. Navy personnel participating in survival school training. METHODS: Psychologic as well as salivary and plasma hormone indices were assessed in 25 active duty personnel before, during, and 24 hours after exposure to U.S. Navy survival school stress. RESULTS: Cortisol and NPY were significantly and positively associated during stress and 24 hours after stress; NPY and norepinephrine (NE) were significantly and positively related during and 24 hours after stress. There was a significant, negative relationship between psychologic distress and NPY release during stress. Finally, psychologic symptoms of dissociation reported at baseline predicted significantly less NPY release during stress. CONCLUSIONS: These data replicate our previous studies demonstrating that acute stress elicits NPY release and that this release is positively associated with cortisol and NE release. These data also replicate our previous finding that greater levels of NPY release are associated with less psychologic distress suggesting that NPY confers anxiolytic activity.