Urinary cortisol is inversely associated with capillary recruitment in women: a potential explanation for the cortisol–blood pressure relationship

Association of Plasma Lipopolysaccharide-Binding Protein Concentration with Dietary Factors, Gut Microbiota, and Health Status in the Japanese General Adult Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

The influx of intestinal bacteria-derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into the blood has attracted attention as a cause of diseases. The aim of this study is investigating the associations between the influx of LPS, dietary factors, gut microbiota, and health status in the general adult population. Food/nutrient intake, gut microbiota, health status and plasma LPS-binding protein (LBP; LPS exposure indicator) were measured in 896 residents (58.1% female, mean age 54.7 years) of the rural Iwaki district of Japan, and each correlation was analyzed. As the results, plasma LBP concentration correlated with physical (right/left arms' muscle mass [β = -0.02, -0.03]), renal (plasma renin activity [β = 0.27], urine albumin creatinine ratio [β = 0.50]), adrenal cortical (cortisol [β = 0.14]), and thyroid function (free thyroxine [β = 0.05]), iron metabolism (serum iron [β = -0.14]), and markers of lifestyle-related diseases (all Qs < 0.20). Plasma LBP concentration were mainly negatively correlated with vegetables/their nutrients intake (all βs ≤ -0.004, Qs < 0.20). Plasma LBP concentration was positively correlated with the proportion of Prevotella (β = 0.32), Megamonas (β = 0.56), and Streptococcus (β = 0.65); and negatively correlated with Roseburia (β = -0.57) (all Qs < 0.20). Dietary factors correlated with plasma LBP concentration correlated with positively (all βs ≥ 0.07) or negatively (all βs ≤ -0.07) the proportion of these bacteria (all Qs < 0.20). Our results suggested that plasma LBP concentration in the Japanese general adult population was associated with various health issues, and that dietary habit was associated with plasma LBP concentration in relation to the intestinal bacteria.

The association between urinary cortisol excretion and cardiovascular risk factors, bone status and quality of life in the population

OBJECTIVE

Patients with glucocorticoid excess have increased cardiovascular risk, decreased bone mineral density and impaired quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between urinary cortisol excretion and cardiovascular risk factors, bone status and QoL in the population. We hypothesized that higher cortisol excretion was associated with adverse cardiovascular risk profile, worse skeletal health and QoL.

DESIGN, PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study including a population sample (n=348), aged 38-77years. The mean age in women was 64.0±8.5years (n=276) and 60.3±10.2years in men (n=72). The metabolic syndrome, body composition measured with bioimpedance, calcaneal quantitative ultrasound, fractures and QoL evaluated with the Nottingham Health Profile, Psychological General Well-Being (PGWB) and the Short Form 36 (SF-36) were studied. Urinary free cortisol (UFC) was measured using radioimmunoassay.

RESULTS

UFC was higher in men (230±120nmol/L) compared to women (153±71; P<0.001) and decreased with increasing age (P<0.001). In a regression analysis, after adjustment for gender, age and body mass index, higher UFC was associated with higher fat-free mass (P<0.01), favourable calcaneal bone measurements (P<0.05), better general health measured with PGWB (P<0.01) and SF-36 (P=0.001) and tended to be negatively associated with the metabolic syndrome (P=0.07).

CONCLUSION

In contrast to our hypothesis, UFC in the upper physiological range was associated with a favourable cardiovascular risk profile, bone measures and QoL.