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Abstract This study aimed to determine salivary concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-10, IL- 23, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, nitrate (a by-product of nitric oxide oxidation), and cortisol in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP). Twenty patients diagnosed with OLP and 20 sex-matched healthy volunteers (HV) were included in this cross-sectional study. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected in the morning. Salivary cytokine and cortisol concentrations were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Nitrate was measured in a nitric oxide analyzer. We found higher salivary concentrations of IL-2 (p<0.003), IL-23 ( p<0.04), and TGF-β (p=0.05) in patients with OLP compared to HV. No significant differences were found in salivary levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, or IL-10. Nitrate concentrations were markedly increased in OLP patients (1,227.0 ± 738.8 µM/mg total protein) when compared to HV (261.6 ± 166.8 µM/mg; p<0.0001). Salivary cortisol levels were also higher in OLP patients (2.79 ± 1.39 vs. 1.94 ±1.21 ng/mg; p<0.048). The markedly increased salivary levels of nitric oxide in patients with OLP suggest a relationship of this molecule with the cell death and tissue damage observed in these lesions.

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Resumen Este estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar las concentraciones salivales de interleucina (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-10, IL-23, factor de crecimiento transformante (TGF)-β y factor de necrosis tumoral (TNF)-α, nitrato (subproducto de la oxidación del óxido nítrico) y cortisol en pacientes con liquen plano oral (OLP). En este estudio transversal se incluyeron veinte pacientes diagnosticados con OLP y 20 voluntarios sanos (HV) del mismo sexo. Saliva entera no estimulada Se recolectó por la mañana, se determinaron las concentraciones de citocinas y cortisol en saliva mediante ensayo inmunoabsorbente ligado a enzimas (ELISA), se determinó nitrato mediante un analizador de óxido nítrico, se encontraron concentraciones salivales mayores de IL-2 (p<0,003), IL- 23 (p<0,04) y TGF-β (p=0,05) en pacientes con OLP en comparación con HV. No se encontraron diferencias significativas en los niveles salivales de TNF-α, IL-1β e IL-10. Las concentraciones de nitrato fueron marcadamente aumentó en pacientes con OLP (1227,0 ± 738,8 µM/mg de proteína total), en comparación con HV (261,6 ± 166,8 µM/mg; p<0,0001). Los niveles de cortisol salival también fueron más altos en los pacientes con OLP que en los controles (2,79 ± 1,39 vs. 1,94 ±1,21 ng/mg; p<0,048). Los niveles de óxido nítrico en saliva aumentaron notablemente en pacientes con OLP, lo que sugiere una relación de esta molécula con la muerte celular y el daño tisular observado en las lesiones de OLP.

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Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of coffee consumption on salivary cortisol (sCort) and alpha amylase (sAA) in young adults. Materials and methods: Sixty healthy university students, habitual coffee consumers, participated in this descriptive observational study. Participants were divided into three groups: G1 low consumption (≤ 2 cups of coffee per day, n = 20), G2 moderate consumption (2-5 cups of coffee per day, n = 20), and G3 high consumption (>5 cups of coffee per day, n = 20). Saliva self-collection was in the morning (6:30-7:30 AM) and at night (08:00-09:00 PM). sCort was analyzed using chemiluminescence and sAA activity by kinetic method. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using Student's t-test and analysis of variance. Results: The sample consisted of 30 women and 30 men, aged between 20 and 35 years. In all groups, sCort values were higher in the morning (AM 0,29 ± 0,19 vs. PM 0,09 ± 0,05 µg/dl, p < 0.0001). In contrast, sAA levels were higher in the night (PM 160,16 ± 60,42 vs. AM 32,79 ± 12,98 U/ml, p < 0.0001). No significant differences were detected, in the contents of Corts and AAs, between the groups. Conclusion: : Coffee consumption, in non-stressful conditions, did not alter levels and patterns of sCort and sAA in young adults.

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Purpose: Most studies assessing hair cortisol were conducted with adults. As specific guidelines for infant hair collection are lacking, we developed a hair collection protocol for 12-month-old infants and assessed its acceptability and feasibility. Results: Out of the total (N = 45), 95.6 % (n = 43) of caregivers consented to the procedure, while one caregiver did not consent (2.2 %), and another requested the procedure to be halted before required amount of hair had been reached (2.2 %). Furthermore, two (4.4 %) infants did not have enough hair for collection. There was no attrition due to infant fussiness/crying. Discussion: We learned five lessons which can help to enhance reproducibility, mother's consent, and mother-infant comfort and acceptance of the procedure. The first lesson is to have the infant sit on the caregiver's lap to ensure the infant feels safe and remains relatively still. The second is to reassure caregivers by showing hair samples representing the amount to be cut as well as by clarifying no unaesthetic gaps would be visible. The third is to caress the infant's head to habituate them to the hair manipulation and to make soap bubbles as distractors. The fourth is to take extra care when securing the lock of hair for cutting because the infant scalp is thin and malleable. The fifth is to place a precision scale in the collection room to ensure the necessary weight is reached. Conclusion: Our hair collection protocol developed for 12-month-old infants was deemed feasible and acceptable, filled an important literature gap concerning the absence of published protocols for infants, and will contribute to increase the replicability and collection efficiency for other research teams.

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The production and release of cortisol during stress responses are key regulators of growth in teleosts. Understanding the molecular responses to cortisol is crucial for the sustainable farming of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and other salmonid species. While several studies have explored the genomic and non-genomic impacts of cortisol on fish growth and skeletal muscle development, the long-term effects driven by epigenetic mechanisms, such as cortisol-induced DNA methylation, remain unexplored. In this study, we analyzed the transcriptome and genome-wide DNA methylation in the skeletal muscle of rainbow trout seven days after cortisol administration. We identified 550 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by RNA-seq and 9059 differentially methylated genes (DMGs) via whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) analysis. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that cortisol modulates the differential expression of genes associated with nucleotide metabolism, ECM-receptor interaction, and the regulation of actin cytoskeleton pathways. Similarly, cortisol induced the differential methylation of genes associated with focal adhesion, adrenergic signaling in cardiomyocytes, and Wnt signaling. Through integrative analyses, we determined that 126 genes showed a negative correlation between up-regulated expression and down-regulated methylation. KEGG enrichment analysis of these genes indicated participation in ECM-receptor interaction, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, and focal adhesion. Using RT-qPCR, we confirmed the differential expression of lamb3, itga6, limk2, itgb4, capn2, and thbs1. This study revealed for the first time the molecular responses of skeletal muscle to cortisol at the transcriptomic and whole-genome DNA methylation levels in rainbow trout.

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Metilação de DNA , Hidrocortisona , Músculo Esquelético , Oncorhynchus mykiss , Estresse Fisiológico , Transcriptoma , Animais , Oncorhynchus mykiss/genética , Oncorhynchus mykiss/metabolismo , Hidrocortisona/metabolismo , Hidrocortisona/farmacologia , Músculo Esquelético/metabolismo , Músculo Esquelético/efeitos dos fármacos , Estresse Fisiológico/genética , Epigênese Genética , Epigenômica/métodos , Perfilação da Expressão Gênica , Proteínas de Peixes/genética , Proteínas de Peixes/metabolismo

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The aim was to determine changes in clinical parameters, glucose concentration, cortisol and behavior in colony queens in no music conditions compared with exposing to different genres of music. Mixed breed clinically healthy queens (N = 9) were used. Queens were studied under no music conditions (control=CON) and auditory enrichment: Soft Rock (M1), Motown (M2), Pop (M3), Frenchcore (M4) and music that was composed to be species-appropriate for cats (M5). The queens underwent auditory enrichment, including three days of silence (D1-3), five consecutive days of auditory enrichment (D4-8) and three days of silence (D9-11). We recorded clinical parameters, glucose, cortisol and behavior. Data were analyzed with GLIMMIX. Queens showed a significant increase of femoral pulse during exposure to M1, M2 and M4; and respiratory rate during exposure to M1, M2, M3 and M4 compared with CON. There was a significant increase in glucose during exposure to M2 and M5 compared with CON. However, there was a significant decrease in glucose during exposure to M4 compared with CON. There was a significant decrease in cortisol during exposure to M2 and M5 compared with CON. When we evaluated the ethogram, we observed a significant decrease in the percentage of interaction with other cats in M1 and M2 compared with CON. In addition, we found a significant decrease in the purring in M1 and M3 compared with CON. Auditory enrichment can be beneficial in situations that cause discomfort and distress in colony cats, such as in feline hospitalization; however, it should be acknowledged that there are limits to direct extrapolation.

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Hidrocortisona , Música , Animais , Gatos/fisiologia , Feminino , Hidrocortisona/sangue , Comportamento Animal/fisiologia , Glicemia/metabolismo

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A Randomized Controlled Trial involving 158 Brazilian medical and nursing students assessed one of three conditions over an 8-week period: 1) a circuit training protocol (CTG); 2) a yoga protocol (YG); or 3) no intervention (CG). The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of circuit training and yoga protocols in reducing perceived mental stress and examining their effects on serum cortisol levels, as well as on traditional cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs), during an academic semester. Mental stress was measured using self-reported stress questionnaires. For the CTG, comparisons of pre- vs. post-intervention data indicated a reduction in self-reported stress levels on a Brazilian scale (p < 0.001) and an international scale (p < 0.05). Regarding CRFs, there was a reduction in waist circumference (WC) (p < 0.05), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (p < 0.05), and heart rate (HR) (p < 0.001). No changes were observed in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (p = 0.211) and serum cortisol (SC) (p = 0.423). In the YG, pre- vs. post-intervention data indicated a reduction in self-reported stress levels on the ISSL (p < 0.001), in both resistance and exhaustion stress levels on the PSS scale (p < 0.001), and in SC levels (p < 0.001), WC (p < 0.05), and SBP (p < 0.05); however, HR and DBP did not change (p = 0.168 and p = 0.07, respectively) in this group. No changes were noted in any measures in the CG. The intervention protocols demonstrated that both CTG and YG can positively impact mental or biochemical stress responses, as well as CRFs.

Assuntos

Biomarcadores , Pressão Sanguínea , Frequência Cardíaca , Hidrocortisona , Estresse Psicológico , Estudantes de Medicina , Estudantes de Enfermagem , Yoga , Humanos , Estresse Psicológico/terapia , Estresse Psicológico/psicologia , Estresse Psicológico/metabolismo , Brasil , Feminino , Masculino , Hidrocortisona/sangue , Estudantes de Medicina/psicologia , Yoga/psicologia , Estudantes de Enfermagem/psicologia , Adulto , Adulto Jovem , Frequência Cardíaca/fisiologia , Pressão Sanguínea/fisiologia , Biomarcadores/sangue , Doenças Cardiovasculares/psicologia

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Research suggests that both tuberculosis (TB) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have an immuno-endocrine imbalance characterized by dysregulated proinflammatory molecules and hormone levels (high cortisol/DHEA ratio), impeding an effective immune response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) driven by cytokines, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), and androgens like DHEA. Insulin, sulfonylurea derivatives, and metformin are commonly used glucose-lowering drugs in patients suffering from TB and T2DM. For this comorbidity, metformin is an attractive target to restore the immunoendocrine mechanisms dysregulated against Mtb. This study aimed to assess whether metformin influences cortisol and DHEA synthesis in adrenal cells and if these hormones influence the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and AMPs in Mtb-infected macrophages. Our results suggest that metformin may enhance DHEA synthesis while maintaining cortisol homeostasis. In addition, supernatants from metformin-treated adrenal cells decreased mycobacterial loads in macrophages, which related to rising proinflammatory cytokines and AMP expression (HBD-2 and 3). Intriguingly, we find that HBD-3 and LL-37 can modulate steroid synthesis in adrenal cells with diminished levels of cortisol and DHEA, highlighting the importance of crosstalk communication between adrenal hormones and these effectors of innate immunity. We suggest that metformin's effects can promote innate immunity against Mtb straight or through modulation of corticosteroid hormones.

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Citocinas , Desidroepiandrosterona , Hidrocortisona , Macrófagos , Metformina , Mycobacterium tuberculosis , Metformina/farmacologia , Humanos , Macrófagos/metabolismo , Macrófagos/efeitos dos fármacos , Macrófagos/microbiologia , Macrófagos/imunologia , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/efeitos dos fármacos , Hidrocortisona/metabolismo , Desidroepiandrosterona/farmacologia , Citocinas/metabolismo , Imunidade Inata/efeitos dos fármacos , Células THP-1 , Interações Hospedeiro-Patógeno , Células Cultivadas , Hipoglicemiantes/farmacologia , Glândulas Suprarrenais/metabolismo , Glândulas Suprarrenais/efeitos dos fármacos , Glândulas Suprarrenais/microbiologia , Mediadores da Inflamação/metabolismo

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CONTEXT: Once hypercortisolemia is confirmed, differential diagnosis between Cushing's syndrome (CS) due to neoplastic endogenous hypercortisolism and non-neoplastic hypercortisolism (NNH, pseudo-Cushing's syndrome) is crucial. Due to worldwide corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) unavailability, accuracy of alternative tests to dexamethasone (Dex)-CRH, is clearly needed. OBJECTIVE: Assess the diagnostic accuracy of Dex-CRH test, desmopressin stimulation test, midnight serum cortisol (MSC), and late-night salivary cortisol (LNSC) levels to distinguish CS from NNH. METHODS: Articles through March 2022 were identified from Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PubMed. All steps through the systematic review were performed independently and in duplicate and strictly adhered to the updated PRISMA-DTA checklist. DATA SYNTHESIS: A total of 24 articles (1900 patients) were included. Dex-CRH had a pooled sensitivity and specificity of 91% (95%CI 87-94%; I2 0%) and 82% (73-88%; I2 50%), desmopressin test 86% (81-90%; I2 28%) and 90% (84-94%; I2 15%), MSC 91% (85-94%; I2 66%) and 81% (70-89%; I2 71%), and LNSC 80% (67-89%; I2 57%) and 90% (84-93%; I2 21%), respectively. Summary receiver operating characteristics areas under the curve were Dex-CRH 0.949, desmopressin test 0.936, MSC 0.942, and LNSC 0.950 without visual or statistical significance. The overall risk of studies bias was moderate. CONCLUSION: Dex-CRH, the desmopressin stimulation test, and MSC have similar diagnostic accuracy, with Dex-CRH and MSC having slightly higher sensitivity, and the desmopressin test being more specific. LNSC was the least accurate, probably due to high heterogeneity, intrinsic variability, different assays, and lack of consistent reported cutoffs. When facing this challenging differential diagnosis, the results presented here should increase clinicians' confidence when deciding which test to perform.

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Síndrome de Cushing , Humanos , Síndrome de Cushing/diagnóstico , Hidrocortisona/sangue , Hidrocortisona/metabolismo , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Hormônio Liberador da Corticotropina/metabolismo , Dexametasona , Desamino Arginina Vasopressina

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Although neighborhood contexts serve as upstream determinants of health, it remains unclear how these contexts "get under the skin" of Mexican-origin youth, who are disproportionately concentrated in highly disadvantaged yet co-ethnic neighborhoods. The current study examines the associations between household and neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES), neighborhood racial-ethnic and immigrant composition, and hair cortisol concentration (HCC)-a physiological index of chronic stress response-among Mexican-origin adolescents from low-income immigrant families in the United States. A total of 297 (54.20% female; mage = 17.61, SD = 0.93) Mexican-origin adolescents had their hair cortisol collected, and their residential addresses were geocoded and merged with the American Community Survey. Neighborhoods with higher Hispanic-origin and foreign-born residents were associated with higher neighborhood disadvantage, whereas neighborhoods with higher non-Hispanic White and domestic-born residents were associated with higher neighborhood affluence. Mexican-origin adolescents living in neighborhoods with a higher proportion of Hispanic-origin residents showed lower levels of HCC, consistent with the role of the ethnic enclave. In contrast, adolescents living in more affluent neighborhoods showed higher levels of HCC, possibly reflecting a physiological toll. No association was found between household SES and HCC. Our findings underscore the importance of taking sociocultural contexts and person-environment fit into consideration when understanding how neighborhoods influence adolescents' stress physiology.

Assuntos

Emigrantes e Imigrantes , Cabelo , Hidrocortisona , Americanos Mexicanos , Pobreza , Humanos , Adolescente , Feminino , Masculino , Hidrocortisona/metabolismo , Cabelo/química , Estados Unidos/etnologia , Pobreza/etnologia , Características de Residência , Características da Vizinhança , Classe Social , Estresse Psicológico/metabolismo , Estresse Psicológico/etnologia

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Dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis represents one of the most consistent pathophysiological findings in depressive disorders. Cortisol signaling is affected by proteins that mediate its cellular responses or alters its availability to mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors. In our study, we evaluated candidate genes that may influence the risk for depression and suicide due to its involvement in cortisol signaling. The aim of the study was to assess whether the genotypes of these genes are associated with the risk for depression, severity of depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts. And whether there is interaction between genes and early-life stress. In this study, 100 healthy controls and 140 individuals with depression were included. The subjects were clinically assessed using the 21-item GRID-Hamilton questionnaires (GRID-HAMD-21), Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation (BSI), and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). A robust multifactorial dimensionality reduction analysis was used to characterize the interactions between the genes HSD11B1, NR3C1, NR3C2, and MDR1 and early-life stress. It was found a significant association of the heterozygous genotype of the MDR1 gene rs1128503 polymorphism with reduced risk of at least one suicide attempt (OR: 0.08, p = 0.003*) and a reduction in the number of suicide attempts (ß = -0.79, p = 0.006*). Furthermore, it was found that the MDR1 rs1228503 and NR3C2 rs2070951 genes interact with early-life stress resulting in a strong association with depression (p = 0.001). Our findings suggest that polymorphisms in the MDR1 and NR3C2 genes and their interaction with childhood trauma may be important biomarkers for depression and suicidal behaviors.

Assuntos

Epistasia Genética , Hidrocortisona , Receptores de Glucocorticoides , Receptores de Mineralocorticoides , Ideação Suicida , Tentativa de Suicídio , Humanos , Feminino , Masculino , Adulto , Receptores de Glucocorticoides/genética , Hidrocortisona/metabolismo , Receptores de Mineralocorticoides/genética , Experiências Adversas da Infância , Subfamília B de Transportador de Cassetes de Ligação de ATP/genética , Depressão/genética , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Polimorfismo de Nucleotídeo Único , Adulto Jovem , Estresse Psicológico/genética , Predisposição Genética para Doença

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Environmental influences before and during pregnancy significantly impact offspring development. This study investigates open research questions regarding the associations between maternal early life stress (ELS), prenatal psychosocial stress, prenatal hair cortisol (HC), and birth outcomes in Argentinian women. Data on ELS, prenatal life events, HC (two samples representing first and second half of pregnancy), and birth outcomes were collected from middle-class Argentinian women (N = 69) upon delivery. Linear mixed models indicated that HC increased from the first half to the second half of pregnancy with considerable variability in the starting values and slopes between individuals. Mothers who experienced more ELS, were taller, or more educated, tended to show lower increases in HC. Older age was positively related to HC increases. Our data did not suggest an interaction between ELS and prenatal life events in relation to HC. We found that the change in HC was most likely negatively associated with birth weight. Our data are most compatible with either a weak or the absence of an association between ELS or prenatal life events and absolute values of HC. Mothers with stronger increases in hair cortisol tended to have newborns with slightly lower birth weight. Hence, ELS and birthweight may either have been related to changes in cortisol exposure during pregnancy or to factors that influence accumulation or retention of cortisol in hair.

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Peso ao Nascer , Cabelo , Hidrocortisona , Efeitos Tardios da Exposição Pré-Natal , Estresse Psicológico , Humanos , Feminino , Gravidez , Hidrocortisona/metabolismo , Hidrocortisona/análise , Estresse Psicológico/metabolismo , Adulto , Cabelo/química , Argentina , Peso ao Nascer/fisiologia , Recém-Nascido , Resultado da Gravidez , Adulto Jovem , Mães

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INTRODUCTION: Previous functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) studies using Go/No-Go (GNG) tasks have focused on brain activation in relation to cognitive processes, particularly inhibitory control (IC). The results of these studies commonly describe right hemispheric engagement of the dorsolateral, ventromedial, or inferior frontal regions of the prefrontal cortex. Considering that typical healthy cognitive development is negatively correlated with higher cortisol levels (which may alter brain development), the overarching aim of the current study was to investigate how elevated stress (due to unforeseeable events such as the pandemic) impacts early cognitive development. METHOD: In this study, we examined fNIRS data collected from a sample of children (aged 2-4 years) during a GNG task relative to the response to stressors measured via hair cortisol concentrations. We acquired data in an ecological setting (Early Childhood Education and Care) during the coronavirus pandemic. RESULTS: We found that children with higher stress levels and a less efficient IC recruited more neural terrain and our group-level analysis indicated activation in the left orbitofrontal area during IC performance. CONCLUSIONS: A contextual stressor may disrupt accuracy in the executive function of IC early in development. More research efforts are needed to understand better how an orbitofrontal network subserves goal-directed behavior.

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A large proportion of patients with low-renin hypertension (LRH) correspond to primary aldosteronism (PA). However, some of these subjects have low to normal aldosterone. Since low renin is driven by excessive mineralocorticoids or glucocorticoids acting on mineralocorticoid receptors (MRs), we hypothesize that a low-cortisone condition, associated classically with 11ßHSD2 deficiency, is a proxy of chronic MR activation by cortisol, which can also lead to low renin, elevated blood pressure, and renal and vascular alterations. Objective: To evaluate low cortisone as a predictor of low renin activity and its association with parameters of kidney and vascular damage. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 206 adult subjects. The subjects were classified according to low plasma renin activity (<1 ng/mL × hours) and low cortisone (<25th percentile). Results: Plasma renin activity was associated with aldosterone (r = 0.36; P < .001) and cortisone (r = 0.22; P = .001). A binary logistic regression analysis showed that serum cortisone per ug/dL increase predicted the low-renin phenotype (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.21-0.78). The receiver operating characteristic curves for cortisone showed an area under the curve of 0.6 to discriminate subjects with low renin activity from controls. The low-cortisone subjects showed higher albuminuria and PAI-1 and lower sodium excretion. The association study also showed that urinary cortisone was correlated with blood pressure and serum potassium (P < .05). Conclusion: This is the first study showing that low cortisone is a predictor of a low-renin condition. Low cortisone also predicted surrogate markers of vascular and renal damage. Since the aldosterone to renin ratio is used in the screening of PA, low cortisone values should be considered additionally to avoid false positives in the aldosterone-renin ratio calculation.

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Introduction: Hair cortisol level has recently been identified as a promising marker for detecting long-term cortisol levels and a marker of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal cortex (HPA) axis activity. However, research on the association between obesity and an altered cortisol metabolism remains controversial. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between hair cortisol levels and overweight and obesity in participants from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 2,499 participants from the second follow-up (visit 3, 2017-2019) attending research centers in Rio de Janeiro and Rio Grande do Sul states. Hair samples were collected, and cortisol levels were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Cortisol levels were classified as low (< 40 pg/mg), medium (40-128 pg/mg), or high (> 128 pg/mg). The participants were classified as eutrophic, overweight, or obese according to their weight (kg) and height (m2). Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were estimated. Results: Of the 2499 individuals, 30% had eutrophic weight, 40% were overweight, and 30% were obese. Notably, cortisol levels gradually increased with increasing body weight. Among participants with high hair cortisol levels, 41.2% were classified as overweight and 34.2% as obese. Multinomial logistic regression analysis indicated that participants with high cortisol levels were 43% (OR =1.43; 95%CI: 1.02-2.03) more likely to be overweight and 72% (OR =1.72; 95%CI:1.20-2.47) more likely to be obese than participants with low hair cortisol levels. After adjustment for all covariates, high cortisol levels remained associated with obesity (OR = 1.54; 95%CI:1.02-2.31) and overweight (OR =1.33; 95%CI:0.91-1.94). Conclusion: In the ELSA-Brazil cohort, hair stress were positively associated with overweight and obesity. These results underscore the importance of considering stress and cortisol as potential factors in obesity prevention and intervention efforts, and highlight a novel aspect of the complex relationship between stress and obesity in the Brazilian population.

Assuntos

Cabelo , Hidrocortisona , Obesidade , Sobrepeso , Humanos , Hidrocortisona/metabolismo , Hidrocortisona/análise , Cabelo/química , Cabelo/metabolismo , Masculino , Feminino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Obesidade/metabolismo , Obesidade/epidemiologia , Estudos Transversais , Sobrepeso/metabolismo , Sobrepeso/epidemiologia , Brasil/epidemiologia , Adulto , Estudos Longitudinais , Biomarcadores/análise , Biomarcadores/metabolismo , Idoso , Estudos de Coortes

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Numerous chemical compounds are found in aquatic environments; among them are pesticides. Pesticides are widely used worldwide, and this use has progressively increased in recent decades, resulting in the accumulation of potentially toxic compounds in surface waters. Dimethylamine-based herbicides (DBH) and imidacloprid-based insecticides (IBI) have low soil absorption and high water solubility, facilitating the arrival of these compounds in aquatic environments. In this study, our objective was to analyze whether two pesticides, DBH and IBI at environmentally relevant concentrations of 320 µg/L for each compound, and their mixtures impact the behavioral and endocrine parameters of adult zebrafish, verifying the effect of pesticides on exploratory behavior and social and analyzing hormonal parameters related to stress. Acute exposure to the mixture of pesticides reduced fish locomotion. Pesticides alone and in combination did not affect cortisol levels in exposed animals. Pesticides, when tested together, can cause different effects on non-target organisms, and the evaluation of mixtures of these compounds is extremely important.

Assuntos

Locomoção , Neonicotinoides , Nitrocompostos , Praguicidas , Peixe-Zebra , Animais , Peixe-Zebra/fisiologia , Neonicotinoides/toxicidade , Locomoção/efeitos dos fármacos , Praguicidas/toxicidade , Nitrocompostos/toxicidade , Dimetilaminas , Poluentes Químicos da Água/toxicidade

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Canine fear of fireworks is a common problem worldwide, with serious implications for the welfare of both dogs and their owners. Therapies for the problem are available, and herbal and nutraceutical agents are increasingly suggested by professionals; nonetheless, studies on their real efficacy in reducing firework fear are lacking. In a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study, 44 dogs (25 in the "supplement" group and 19 in the "placebo" group) completed a long-term continuous treatment with either a supplement made of tryptophan, valerian, and passiflora or a placebo, including two real exposures to fireworks (on 2020 Christmas and 2021 New Years' Eve, after 42 and 48 days of treatment, respectively). Owners of both groups received the same general environmental management and food/toy offering recommendations for trying with their dogs on those nights. Behavioural (measured by LSSS-Lincoln Sound Sensitivity Scale and PANAS-Positive and Negative Activation scale, as rated by the owners) and stress (measured via salivary cortisol measures) reactions were evaluated. Significantly greater fear decrease (LSSS) was recorded in the "supplement" dogs, as compared to the "placebo" group. Cortisol dosages on New Year's Eve ("noisy" night) were in line with behavioural results; "supplement" dogs showed a smaller increase in the stress response from 22:30 to 00:30 h on New Year's Eve and a greater decrease in their stress response from 02:30 h to 10:30 h on New Year's Day compared to "placebo" dogs. Smaller cortisol levels were also shown by "supplement" dogs than "placebo" dogs on a controlled "quiet night" (27th December). Owners' rates on PANAS remained stable during the whole period of therapy for both groups. The evaluated supplement, a combination of tryptophan, valerian, and passiflora, showed satisfactory results and rare side effects when treating dogs fearful of fireworks.

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INTRODUCTION: Depression is one of the most disabling diseases globally, with a high disease burden that generates high direct and indirect costs. The incidence of depression is twofold higher in adult women than in men. Biological and psychosocial factors constitute the pathophysiological bases of the condition and due to the complexity of the condition, current understanding is that the "treatment strategy must be multimodal". The objective of this study was to measure the effect of introducing the frequent use of makeup on improving depressive symptoms in adult women of medium-low purchasing power METHODS: Participants with the targeted profile who did not frequently use makeup were selected and randomised to receive (test group) or not (control group) stimuli and makeup products intended for encouraging the frequent use of makeup. The Zung Depression Self-Assessment Scale was used to assess depressive symptoms, with additional assessments on self-image perception using the mirror test and salivary cortisol level. RESULTS: The results demonstrated a sustained reduction in depressive symptoms (8.3 percentage points reduction in the Average Zung Index; P < 0.05), with a significant improvement in self-image perception (25% increase in the average score obtained in the mirror test; P < 0.05) and a specific influence on salivary cortisol levels (55% reduction in salivary cortisol concentration; P < 0.05) after the first makeup application. CONCLUSION: The results show that encouraging the frequent use of makeup, a practice that can be achieved by most people and which is simple and inexpensive to implement, can contribute to effective and sustainable improvement in the well-being and mental health of a significant portion of the population.

RESUMO

Aquaculture has become one of the most attractive food production activities as it provides high-quality protein for the growing human population. However, the abiotic chronic stress of fish in intensive fish farming leads to a detrimental condition that affects their health and somatic growth, comprising productive performance. This work aims to comprehensively review the impact of alternative and novel dietary protein sources on fish somatic growth, metabolism, and antioxidative capacity under environmental/abiotic stressors. The documental research indicates that ingredients from rendered animal by-products, insects, bacteria as single-cell proteins, and fungal organisms (e.g., yeast, filamentous fungus, and mushrooms) benefit fish health and performance. A set of responses allows fish growth, health, and survival to remain unaffected by feeding with alternative ingredients during chronic environmental stress. Those ingredients stimulate the production of enzymes such as catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and selenoproteins that counteract ROS effects. In addition, the humoral immune system promotes immunoglobulin production (IgM) and cortisol plasmatic reduction. Further investigation must be carried out to establish the specific effect by species. Additionally, the mixture and the pre-treatment of ingredients such as hydrolysates, solid fermentations, and metabolite extraction potentialize the beneficial effects of diets in chronically stressed fish.

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BACKGROUND: Mental well-being plays a pivotal role within the broader spectrum of health and illness, encompassing factors such as stress, depression, and anxiety. Nature-based therapeutic interventions have emerged as a promising approach to addressing these mental health challenges. This study seeks to assess the impact of these interventions on stress, depression, and anxiety levels. METHODS: We conducted an extensive search for randomized clinical trials that examined stress, anxiety, and depression levels. The selected studies underwent a rigorous risk-of-bias assessment following the guidelines outlined in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews. RESULTS: Our review encompassed findings from eight publications. Among them, two studies measuring cortisol levels revealed significant differences between the pre-test and post-test measurements within the intervention groups. In two studies that employed the Stress Response Inventory, a significant decrease in stress levels was observed within the intervention groups in contrast to the control groups. However, no significant differences were noted in studies that utilized the Restorative Outcome Scale. In the assessment of anxiety and depression levels, three studies employed the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, while four studies utilized The Profile of Mood States scale; none of these studies demonstrated significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: The current body of evidence offers limited support for advocating nature-based therapeutic interventions as a primary approach to reducing stress, depression, and anxiety.

RESUMO

Objective: Enlargement of the adrenal glands and variable adrenocortical function have been reported in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and, in a few studies, in patients with extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB). However, none of the studies have evaluated the course of the adrenal morphology in these patients. Subjects and methods: Prospective study including 37 patients with EPTB and 37 healthy age- and sex-matched controls. The adrenal function was evaluated by measurement of cortisol levels at baseline and after stimulation with ACTH (Acton Prolongatum) before and 6 months after antituberculosis treatment. The size of both adrenal glands was evaluated using 64-slice computed tomography (CT) scanning before and 6 months after treatment. The findings were compared with those in a group of healthy matched controls. Results: Clinical and biochemical parameters were comparable between groups. The mean baseline serum cortisol level was significantly lower in the EPTB group (397.1 ± 184.9 nmol/L) compared with the control group (696.3 ± 101.8 nmol/L). Compared with controls, patients with EPTB had significantly lower mean cortisol levels at baseline and 1 hour after ACTH, both before (397 ± 184.9 nmol/L and 750.7 ± 176.8 nmol/L, respectively) and after (529.7 ± 100.4 nmol/L and 1017.2 ± 119.7 nmol/L, respectively) antituberculosis treatment. Both the length and thickness of the right and left adrenal glands were greater in patients with EPTB than in controls but became comparable to those in controls after treatment completion. Conclusion: Patients with EPTB have an enlarged adrenal size and low baseline and stimulated serum cortisol levels. After treatment completion, cortisol levels increased significantly, and the adrenal size normalized in these patients.

Assuntos

Hidrocortisona , Tuberculose Extrapulmonar , Humanos , Estudos Prospectivos , Antituberculosos/uso terapêutico , Hormônio Adrenocorticotrópico , Glândulas Suprarrenais/diagnóstico por imagem