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Ishikura IA, Moysés-Oliveira M, Fernandes GL, Hachul H, Tufik S, Andersen ML. How do phases of the menstrual cycle affect sleep? A polysomnographic study of the EPISONO database. Sleep Breath 2024; 28:1399-1407. [PMID: 38315317 DOI: 10.1007/s11325-024-02996-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Our study aimed to evaluate the impact of the menstrual cycle stages, especially menses, on sleep, inflammatory mediators, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and quality of life. METHODS We used data from the EPISONO study cohort, selecting 96 women who had undergone one-night polysomnography. The women were distributed in three groups according to the time point of the menstrual cycle on the polysomnography night: menses, mid/late follicular phase, and luteal phase. The volunteers completed questionnaires related to sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, insomnia, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and quality of life. Blood samples were collected to analyze interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and C-reactive protein. RESULTS Sleep efficiency was statistically higher in women in the mid/late follicular group (89.9% ± 9.6) compared to menstrual (83.0% ± 10.8) and luteal (83.7% ± 12.7) groups. The mid/late follicular group presented a statistically significant reduction in sleep onset latency (7.1 ± 7.1 min) compared to the menstrual (22.3 ± 32.4 min) and luteal groups (15.9 ± 14.7 min). No statistical differences among the three groups were observed in other polysomnographic parameters, inflammatory mediators, daytime sleepiness, insomnia, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate that the mid/late follicular phase might be beneficial for women's sleep, although there were no statistically changes in inflammatory mediators among the groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabela A Ishikura
- Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Guilherme Luiz Fernandes
- Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Helena Hachul
- Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Sleep Institute, Associação Fundo Incentivo à Pesquisa (AFIP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Departamento de Ginecologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Sergio Tufik
- Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Sleep Institute, Associação Fundo Incentivo à Pesquisa (AFIP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Monica L Andersen
- Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
- Sleep Institute, Associação Fundo Incentivo à Pesquisa (AFIP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Notbohm HL, Umlauff L, Bloch W, Schumann M. Comparison of the cytokine responses to acute strength exercise between oral contraceptive users and naturally cycling women. Eur J Appl Physiol 2024; 124:257-267. [PMID: 37453973 PMCID: PMC10786951 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-023-05275-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Cytokines are released as part of an inflammatory reaction in response to strength exercise to initiate muscle repair and morphological adaptations. Whether hormonal fluctuations induced by the menstrual cycle or oral contraceptives affect inflammatory responses to strength exercise remains unknown. Therefore, we aimed to compare the response of cytokines after acute strength exercise in naturally menstruating women and oral contraceptive users. METHODS Naturally menstruating women (MC, n = 13, 24 ± 4 years, weekly strength training: 4.3 ± 1.7 h) and women using a monophasic combined pill (> 9 months) (OC, n = 8, 22 ± 3 years, weekly strength training: 4.5 ± 1.9 h) were recruited. A one-repetition-maximum (1RM) test and strength exercise in the squat (4 × 10 repetitions, 70%1RM) was performed in the early follicular phase or pill free interval. Concentrations of oestradiol, IL-1β, IL-1ra, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 were assessed before (pre), directly after (post) and 24 h after (post24) strength exercise. RESULTS IL-1ra increased from pre to post (+ 51.1 ± 59.4%, p = 0.189) and statistically decreased from post to post24 (- 20.5 ± 13.5%, p = 0.011) only in OC. Additionally, IL-1β statistically decreased from post to post24 (- 39.6 ± 23.0%, p = 0.044) only in OC. There was an interaction effect for IL-1β (p = 0.038) and concentrations were statistically decreased at post24 in OC compared to MC (p = 0.05). IL-8 increased across both groups from post to post24 (+ 66.6 ± 96.3%, p = 0.004). CONCLUSION We showed a differential regulation of IL-1β and IL-1ra between OC users in the pill-free interval and naturally cycling women 24 h after strength exercise, while there was no effect on other cytokines. Whether this is associated with previously shown compromised morphological adaptations remains to be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah L Notbohm
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Sports Medicine, German Sport University, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933, Cologne, Germany
| | - Lisa Umlauff
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Sports Medicine, German Sport University, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933, Cologne, Germany
| | - Wilhelm Bloch
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Sports Medicine, German Sport University, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933, Cologne, Germany
| | - Moritz Schumann
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Sports Medicine, German Sport University, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933, Cologne, Germany.
- Division of Training and Movement Science, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.
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3
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Mengelkoch S, Gassen J, Slavich GM, Hill SE. Hormonal contraceptive use is associated with differences in women's inflammatory and psychological reactivity to an acute social stressor. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 115:747-757. [PMID: 37914104 PMCID: PMC11216059 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.10.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Women using hormonal contraceptives (HCs) exhibit numerous signs of chronic inflammation, including elevated C-reactive protein levels and greater risk of developing mood and autoimmune disorders. However, users and non-users of HCs often have similar circulating proinflammatory cytokine levels, making the mechanism of association unclear. One possible explanation for this paradox is that HC users exhibit differences in their inflammatory responses to psychosocial stress that, over time, could contribute to chronic inflammation and its pathologies. Here, we tested this possibility by examining women's glucocorticoid, inflammatory, and psychological responses to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) in 67 naturally cycling (NC) and 60 oral HC-using women (Mage = 19.31, SDage = 1.95). As hypothesized, HC users and NC women exhibited different glucocorticoid and proinflammatory cytokine responses to the TSST. For NC women, TSST-induced increases in glucocorticoids were uncommon, and increases in glucocorticoids were accompanied by elevations in IL-6. In contrast, for women using HCs, increases in glucocorticoids in response to the TSST were common, and increases in glucocorticoids were accompanied by increases in TNF-α. HC users and NC women also differed in their psychological responses to the TSST, with HC users reporting elevated stress levels compared to NC women. Together, these results suggest that HC use impacts women's glucocorticoid, inflammatory, and psychological responses to psychosocial stress, potentially contributing to observed differences in these women's mental and physical health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Summer Mengelkoch
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, 760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States; Department of Psychology, Texas Christian University, 2955 South University Drive, Fort Worth TX 76129, United States.
| | - Jeffrey Gassen
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, 760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - George M Slavich
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, 760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - Sarah E Hill
- Department of Psychology, Texas Christian University, 2955 South University Drive, Fort Worth TX 76129, United States
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4
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Mascone SE, Jacob DW, Eagan LE, Harper JL, Limberg JK, Ranadive SM. Naturally menstruating women exhibit lower cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity than oral contraceptive users during the lower hormone phase. Exp Physiol 2023; 108:1481-1489. [PMID: 37878751 PMCID: PMC10843041 DOI: 10.1113/ep091394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
The present study evaluated cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) across the menstrual/pill cycle in naturally menstruating women (NAT women) and women using oral hormonal contraceptives (OCP women). In 21 NAT women (23 ± 4 years old) and 22 OCP women (23 ± 3 years old), cardiovagal BRS and circulating concentrations of estradiol and progesterone were evaluated during the lower hormone (early follicular/placebo pill) and higher hormone (late follicular to early luteal/active pill) phases. During the lower hormone phase, cardiovagal BRS up, down and mean gain were lower in NAT women (15.6 ± 8.3, 15.2 ± 6.1 and 15.1 ± 7.1 ms/mmHg) compared with OCP women (24.7 ± 9.4, 22.9 ± 8.0 and 23.0 ± 8.0 ms/mmHg) (P = 0.003, P = 0.002 and P = 0.003, respectively), and higher oestrogen (R2 = 0.15, P = 0.024), but not progesterone (R2 = 0.06, P = 0.18), concentrations were predictive of lower BRS mean gain. During the higher hormone phase, higher progesterone concentrations were predictive of lower BRS mean gain (R2 = 0.12, P = 0.024). A multivariate regression model revealed group (NAT or OCP) to be a significant predictor of cardiovagal BRS mean gain in the lower hormone phase when hormone concentrations were adjusted for (R2 = 0.36, P = 0.0044). The multivariate regression model was not significant during the higher hormone phase (P > 0.05). In summary, cardiovagal BRS is lower in NAT compared with OCP women during the lower hormone phase of the menstrual/pill cycle and might be associated with higher oestrogen concentrations. In contrast, during the higher hormone phase of the menstrual/OCP cycle, higher progesterone concentrations were predictive of lower cardiovagal BRS. NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? Does cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) differ between naturally menstruating women (NAT women) and women using oral contraceptives (OCP women)? What is the main finding and its importance? The main findings are as follows: (1) NAT women exhibit lower cardiovagal BRS than OCP women during the lower hormone phase of the menstrual or pill cycle; and (2) circulating oestrogen concentrations are significant predictors of cardiovagal BRS during the lower hormone phase, with higher oestrogen concentrations predicting lower BRS. The present data advance our understanding of the effect of endogenous ovarian hormones and OCP use on cardiovascular control mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara E. Mascone
- Department of Kinesiology, School of Public HealthUniversity of MarylandCollege ParkMarylandUSA
| | - Dain W. Jacob
- Department of Nutrition and Exercise PhysiologyUniversity of MissouriColumbiaMissouriUSA
| | - Lauren E. Eagan
- Department of Kinesiology, School of Public HealthUniversity of MarylandCollege ParkMarylandUSA
| | - Jennifer L. Harper
- Department of Nutrition and Exercise PhysiologyUniversity of MissouriColumbiaMissouriUSA
| | - Jacqueline K. Limberg
- Department of Nutrition and Exercise PhysiologyUniversity of MissouriColumbiaMissouriUSA
| | - Sushant M. Ranadive
- Department of Kinesiology, School of Public HealthUniversity of MarylandCollege ParkMarylandUSA
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Notbohm HL, Moser F, Goh J, Feuerbacher JF, Bloch W, Schumann M. The effects of menstrual cycle phases on immune function and inflammation at rest and after acute exercise: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2023; 238:e14013. [PMID: 37309068 DOI: 10.1111/apha.14013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The immune system plays an important role in mediating exercise responses and adaptations. However, whether fluctuating hormone concentrations across the menstrual cycle may impact these processes remains unknown. The aim of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to compare baseline concentrations as well as exercise-induced changes in immune and inflammatory parameters between menstrual cycle phases. A systematic literature search was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines using Pubmed/MEDLINE, ISI Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus. Of the 159 studies included in the qualitative synthesis, 110 studies were used for meta-analysis. Due to the designs of the included studies, only the follicular and luteal phase could be compared. The estimated standardized mean differences based on the random-effects model revealed higher numbers of leukocytes (-0.48 [-0.73; -0.23], p < 0.001), monocytes (-0.73 [-1.37; -0.10], p = 0.023), granulocytes (-0.85 [-0.1.48; -0.21], p = 0.009), neutrophils (-0.32 [-0.52; -0.12], p = 0.001), and leptin concentrations (-0.37 [-0.5; -0.23], p = 0.003) in the luteal compared to the follicular phase at rest. Other parameters (adaptive immune cells, cytokines, chemokines, and cell adhesion molecules) showed no systematic baseline differences. Seventeen studies investigated the exercise-induced response of these parameters, providing some indications for a higher pro-inflammatory response in the luteal phase. In conclusion, parameters of innate immunity showed cycle-dependent regulation at rest, while little is known on the exercise responses. Due to a large heterogeneity and a lack of cycle phase standardization among the included studies, future research should focus on comparing at least three distinct hormonal profiles to derive more specific recommendations for exercise prescription.
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Affiliation(s)
- H L Notbohm
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Sports Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - F Moser
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Sports Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - J Goh
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore, Singapore
- Healthy Longevity Translational Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore, Singapore
- Centre for Healthy Longevity, National University Health System (NUHS), Singapore, Singapore
| | - J F Feuerbacher
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Sports Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - W Bloch
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Sports Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - M Schumann
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Sports Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Division of Training and Movement Science, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
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6
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Blake EF, Eagan LE, Ranadive SM. Heart rate variability between hormone phases of the menstrual and oral contraceptive pill cycles of young women. Clin Auton Res 2023; 33:533-537. [PMID: 37294472 DOI: 10.1007/s10286-023-00951-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The interplay between the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system contribute to adequate hemodynamic responses to stressors, reflected by the variation in intervals between heart beats, known as heart rate variability. The sex hormones estrogen and progesterone have been shown to affect autonomic function. The extent to which autonomic function may vary between different hormone phases of the natural menstrual cycle and how this relationship may differ in women taking oral contraceptives has yet to be fully elucidated. PURPOSE To investigate differences in heart rate variability between the early follicular and early luteal phases of the menstrual cycle in naturally menstruating women and in oral contraceptive pill users. METHODS Twenty-two young (22 ± 3 years), healthy women who were naturally menstruating or taking oral contraceptive pills participated in this study. Heart rate variability was measured at rest and during two sympathomimetic stressors: isometric handgrip exercise and cold pressor test. RESULTS The proportion of successive NN intervals that differ by more than 50 ms was higher in oral contraceptive pill users during the placebo pill phase. Absolute high-frequency power was higher in the naturally menstruating women during the early luteal phase, relative to the early follicular phase. Other indices of vagal modulation were not different at rest or during sympathetic activation between hormone phases or groups. CONCLUSIONS Vagal modulation may be increased in the early luteal menstrual cycle phase. Further,oral contraceptive use does not appear to adversely affect this modulation in young, healthy women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily F Blake
- Department of Kinesiology, College Park School of Public Health, University of Maryland, 4200, Valley Drive, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Lauren E Eagan
- Department of Kinesiology, College Park School of Public Health, University of Maryland, 4200, Valley Drive, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Sushant M Ranadive
- Department of Kinesiology, College Park School of Public Health, University of Maryland, 4200, Valley Drive, College Park, MD, 20742, USA.
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Lombardo G, Nettis MA, Hastings C, Zajkowska Z, Mariani N, Nikkheslat N, Worrell C, Enache D, McLaughlin A, Kose M, Bogdanova A, Sforzini L, Cleare AJ, Young AH, Dazzan P, Mondelli V, Pariante CM. Sex differences in a double-blind randomized clinical trial with minocycline in treatment-resistant depressed patients: CRP and IL-6 as sex-specific predictors of treatment response. Brain Behav Immun Health 2022; 26:100561. [PMID: 36467125 PMCID: PMC9712814 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2022.100561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Inflammation is a well-known risk factor for depression. Specifically, patients who do not respond to antidepressant treatment show higher levels of inflammatory biomarkers compared with responders. Thus, several studies have investigated the efficacy of anti-inflammatory add-on treatment in this population. However, major depressive disorder is more prevalent in females than in males, with sex differences present in antidepressant treatment response and in immune system regulation. To explore sex differences in inflammatory profiles and treatment responses, we investigated a cohort of patients with treatment resistant depression (TRD), for which they received an adjunctive, anti-inflammatory treatment with minocycline - the Minocycline in Depression (MINDEP) study. Methods The MINDEP study is a 4-week double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial (stratified by sex) with 39 TRD participants, which demonstrated the efficacy of minocycline, an antibiotic with anti-inflammatory properties, in TRD patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and evidence of low-grade inflammation measured with C-reactive protein (CRP) ≥ 3 mg/L. In these secondary analyses, we investigated the differential effects of minocycline in females (N = 22, 10 randomised to minocycline and 12 randomised to placebo) and in males (N = 17, 8 randomised to minocycline and 9 randomised to placebo) on changes in depressive symptoms (Δ- Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD)-17), taking also into consideration CRP levels (CRP ≥3 mg/L vs. CRP <3 mg/L). Additionally, we investigated the role of serum IL-6 in predicting treatment response to minocycline, using sex-specific medians of IL-6, in novel exploratory analyses. Results Sex differences in Δ-HAMD-17 indicate that only females (F = 10.49, p = 0.005), but not males (F = 1.64, p = 0.22), presented an effect of CRP levels on the response to minocycline. Also, we detected sex differences in the relationship between serum CRP and IL-6 levels: CRP was strongly correlated with IL-6 in females (Spearman's ρ = 0.658, P < 0.001) but not in males (ρ = 0.007, p = 0.979). Exploratory analyses found that IL-6 was indeed a better predictor of response than minocycline than CRP, as we found an interaction between study arms and IL-6 groups (above and below the IL-6 sex-specific median) in females (F = 4.435 p = 0.050) and, at trend statistical level, in males (F = 4.258 p = 0.060). Moreover, Δ-HAMD-17 was numerically comparable in the two high-IL-6 group taking minocycline (females, mean 9.20 ± SD 7.80; males, mean 8.80 ± SD 5.97), confirming that high IL-6, differently from high CRP, identified responders to minocycline both in males and females. Conclusion Our findings highlight the need of sex-specific inflammatory biomarkers in predicting antidepressant response to anti-inflammatories in TRD patients, with the possibility of CRP being a relevant predictor of treatment response only for females, and IL-6 being relevant for both sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Lombardo
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Psychological Medicine, London, UK
| | - Maria Antonietta Nettis
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Psychological Medicine, London, UK.,National Institute for Health Research Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK
| | - Caitlin Hastings
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Psychological Medicine, London, UK
| | - Zuzanna Zajkowska
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Psychological Medicine, London, UK
| | - Nicole Mariani
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Psychological Medicine, London, UK
| | - Naghmeh Nikkheslat
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Psychological Medicine, London, UK
| | - Courtney Worrell
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Psychological Medicine, London, UK
| | - Daniela Enache
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Psychological Medicine, London, UK.,Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna McLaughlin
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Psychological Medicine, London, UK
| | - Melisa Kose
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Psychological Medicine, London, UK
| | - Anna Bogdanova
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Psychological Medicine, London, UK
| | - Luca Sforzini
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Psychological Medicine, London, UK
| | - Anthony J Cleare
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Psychological Medicine, London, UK.,National Institute for Health Research Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK
| | - Allan H Young
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Psychological Medicine, London, UK.,National Institute for Health Research Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK
| | - Paola Dazzan
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Psychological Medicine, London, UK.,National Institute for Health Research Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK
| | - Valeria Mondelli
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Psychological Medicine, London, UK.,National Institute for Health Research Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK
| | - Carmine M Pariante
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Psychological Medicine, London, UK.,National Institute for Health Research Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK
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8
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Masama C, Jarkas DA, Thaw E, Daneshmend AZB, Franklyn SI, Beaurepaire C, McQuaid RJ. Hormone contraceptive use in young women: Altered mood states, neuroendocrine and inflammatory biomarkers. Horm Behav 2022; 144:105229. [PMID: 35779518 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2022.105229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Oral contraceptives are used by millions of women worldwide, yet there are questions regarding the psychological and biological consequences of these medications. Considering that sex steroid hormones can regulate neuroendocrine and behavioral responses to stress, the current study examined mood and stress symptomatologies, as well as circulating levels of cortisol and inflammatory biomarkers among young women (N = 388), of whom, 47.0 % (n = 182) were using a form of hormonal contraception. Women using hormone contraceptives displayed significantly higher depressive and stress scores compared to non-users, whereas no differences were found for anxiety symptoms. Moreover, contraceptive users had markedly elevated plasma cortisol and C-reactive protein levels in comparison to non-users. Upon assessing women at different phases of their menstrual cycle, hormone contraceptive users displayed higher levels of cortisol compared to women in the follicular and luteal phases, in addition to higher levels of CRP levels compared to women in the luteal phase. Together, these findings suggest that hormone contraceptive use is linked to exaggerated basal neuroendocrine and inflammatory profiles, which could potentially increase sensitivity to the impacts of stressors and mood disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coleka Masama
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Dana A Jarkas
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada.
| | - Emily Thaw
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Ayeila Z B Daneshmend
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Sabina I Franklyn
- Department of Psychology, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Cecile Beaurepaire
- University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research, 1145 Carling Avenue, K1Z 7K4 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robyn J McQuaid
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada; University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research, 1145 Carling Avenue, K1Z 7K4 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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9
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Eagan LE, Chesney CA, Mascone SE, Ranadive SM. Arterial stiffness and blood pressure are similar in naturally menstruating and oral contraceptive pill using women during the higher-hormone phases. Exp Physiol 2022; 107:374-382. [PMID: 35199392 DOI: 10.1113/ep090151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
NEW FINDINGS What is the central question of this study? Are there differences in blood pressure, arterial stiffness and indices of pressure waveforms between young oral contraceptive pill using and naturally menstruating women during lower and higher hormone phases of their cycles? What is the main finding and its importance? Blood pressure, arterial stiffness and indices of pressure waveforms are influenced similarly by exogenous and endogenous hormones. However, lower levels of exogenous hormones moderately increase blood pressure among OCP. ABSTRACT Elevations in blood pressure (BP) are understood as having a bidirectional relationship with stiffening of central and peripheral arteries. Arterial stiffness is mitigated by oestrogen, which aides in arterial vasorelaxation. To evaluate whether BP, stiffness, and pressure waveforms were different between young healthy naturally menstruating (non-OCP) and oral contraceptive pill using women (OCP), we measured brachial and aortic BPs, carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), carotid β-stiffness, elastic-modulus, central augmentation index (AIx and AIx75), and forward and backward pressure waveforms (Pf and Pb) in 22 women (22 (1) yr, OCP: n = 12). To assess phasic differences, women were studied during the early follicular (EF; ≤5 days of menstruation onset) and early luteal (EL; 4 (2) days post-ovulation) phases of non-OCP and compared to the placebo pill (PP; ≤5 days of onset) and active pill (AP; ≤5 days of highest-dose AP) phases of OCP. During the lower hormone phases, OCP have significantly higher brachial SBP (119.3 (8.3) vs. 110.2 (8.3) mmHg, P = 0.02) and aortic SBP (104.10 (7.44) vs. 96.80 (6.39) mmHg, P = 0.03) as compared to non-OCP; however, during the higher hormone phases, there are no differences in measures of brachial or aortic BP, arterial stiffness, or indices of BP waveforms between OCP and non-OCP (P≥0.05). In conclusion, exogenous and endogenous hormones have similar influences on BP and arterial stiffness; however, lower levels of exogenous hormones augment both central and peripheral BPs. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E Eagan
- Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Catalina A Chesney
- Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Sara E Mascone
- Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Sushant M Ranadive
- Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
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Derella CC, Blanks AM, Wang X, Tucker MA, Horsager C, Jeong JH, Rodriguez-Miguelez P, Looney J, Thomas J, Pollock DM, Harris RA. Endothelin receptor blockade blunts the pressor response to acute stress in men and women with obesity. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2022; 132:73-83. [PMID: 34762528 PMCID: PMC8742738 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00156.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity is associated with dysregulation of the endothelin system. In individuals with obesity, an exaggerated pressor response to acute stress is accompanied by increased circulating endothelin-1 (ET-1). The impact of combined endothelin A/B receptor (ETA/B) antagonism on the stress-induced pressor response in overweight/obese (OB) individuals is unknown. The objective of this study is to test the hypothesis that treatment with an ETA/B antagonist (bosentan) would reduce the stress-induced pressor response and arterial stiffness in overweight/obese compared with normal weight (NW) individuals. Forty participants [normal weight (NW): n = 20, body mass index (BMI): 21.7 ± 2.4 kg/m2 and overweight/obese (OB): n = 20, BMI: 33.8 ± 8.2 kg/m2] were randomized to placebo or 125 mg of bosentan twice a day (250 mg total) for 3 days. Hemodynamics were assessed before, during, and after a cold pressor test (CPT). Endothelin-1 was assessed at baseline and immediately after CPT. Following a washout period, the same protocol was repeated with the opposite treatment. The change from baseline in mean arterial pressure (MAP) during CPT following bosentan was significantly lower (P = 0.039) in the OB group than in the NW group (OB: 28 ± 12 vs. NW: 34 ± 15 mmHg). These results suggest that ETA/B antagonism favorably blunts the pressor response to acute stress in overweight/obese individuals.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Findings from our current translational investigation demonstrate that dual endothelin A/B receptor antagonism blunts the pressor response to acute stress in overweight/obese individuals. These results suggest that modulation of the endothelin system may represent a novel therapeutic target to reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk by blunting the stress response in overweight/obese individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra C. Derella
- 1Department of Medicine, Georgia Prevention Institute, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Anson M. Blanks
- 1Department of Medicine, Georgia Prevention Institute, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Xiaoling Wang
- 1Department of Medicine, Georgia Prevention Institute, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Matthew A. Tucker
- 1Department of Medicine, Georgia Prevention Institute, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Chase Horsager
- 1Department of Medicine, Georgia Prevention Institute, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Jin Hee Jeong
- 1Department of Medicine, Georgia Prevention Institute, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Paula Rodriguez-Miguelez
- 1Department of Medicine, Georgia Prevention Institute, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia,2Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Jacob Looney
- 1Department of Medicine, Georgia Prevention Institute, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Jeffrey Thomas
- 1Department of Medicine, Georgia Prevention Institute, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - David M. Pollock
- 3Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Ryan A. Harris
- 1Department of Medicine, Georgia Prevention Institute, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia,4Sport and Exercise Science Research Institute, Ulster University, Jordanstown, United Kingdom
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Mascone SE, Chesney CA, Eagan LE, Ranadive SM. Similar inflammatory response and conduit artery vascular function between sexes following induced inflammation. Exp Physiol 2021; 106:2276-2285. [PMID: 34605100 DOI: 10.1113/ep089913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
NEW FINDINGS What is the central question of this study? Are there sex differences in vascular function following induced inflammation when oestrogen is typically similar between sexes? What is the main finding and its importance? The present study suggests no sex differences in conduit artery vascular responses to acutely induced inflammation during the low-oestrogen phase of the menstrual cycle in premenopausal women. However, women exhibit lower microvascular function than men. Overall, the results underpin the role of oestrogen in previously observed sex differences and the importance of reporting the phase in the hormonal cycle when women are studied. ABSTRACT Sex differences in cardiovascular disease incidence in premenopausal women and age-matched men have been attributed to the cardioprotective influence of oestrogen. However, limited knowledge exists regarding sex differences following acute inflammation when oestrogen concentrations are lower in women. We evaluated sex differences in vascular responses to induced inflammation when oestrogen concentrations are typically lower in women (early follicular phase or placebo phase of hormonal contraception). In 15 women and 14 men, interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations and vascular function [via brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD)] were assessed at baseline (BL) and 24 (24H) and 48 hours (48H) after administration of influenza vaccine. After induction of inflammation, both sexes exhibited an increase in IL-6 concentrations at 24H [mean (SD) BL vs. 24H: women, 0.563 (0.50) vs. 1.141 (0.65) pg/ml; men, 0.385 (0.17) vs. 1.113 (0.69) pg/ml; P < 0.05] that returned to near-baseline concentrations by 48H (BL vs. 48H, P > 0.05). There were no sex differences in FMD, allometrically scaled FMD or IL-6 concentrations at any time point (P > 0.05). Notably, women exhibited significantly lower microvascular function than men at every time point [P < 0.05; reactive hyperaemic area under the curve (in arbitrary units): women, BL 35,512 (14,916), 24H 34,428 (14,292) and 48H 39,467 (13,936); men, BL 61,748 (27,324), 24H 75,028 (29,051) and 48H 59,532 (13,960)]. When oestrogen concentrations are typically lower in women, women exhibit a similar inflammatory response and conduit artery function, but lower microvascular response to reactive hyperaemia, in comparison to age-matched men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara E Mascone
- Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Catalina A Chesney
- Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Lauren E Eagan
- Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Sushant M Ranadive
- Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
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