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Herrera-Quintana L, Vázquez-Lorente H, Carneiro-Barrera A, Gutiérrez-Rojas L, Castillo MJ, Amaro-Gahete FJ. Is there a relationship of cortisol and sex steroid hormones with mental health in middle-aged adults? the FIT-AGEING study. Endocr Pract 2024:S1530-891X(24)00607-4. [PMID: 39032832 DOI: 10.1016/j.eprac.2024.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Mental health has emerged as a worldwide concern given the rising incidence of anxiety and depression disorders in the last years. Cortisol and sex steroid hormones have been demonstrated to be important regulators of mental health processes in older adults. However, the evidence considering these integrated variables in apparently healthy middle-aged individuals has not been thoroughly addressed. The present study was aimed at investigating the association of plasma cortisol, testosterone, free testosterone, Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG) and Dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS) levels with mental health in middle-aged adults. METHODS This cross-sectional study included a cohort of 73 middle-aged adults with 45-65 years of age (53% women). Plasma cortisol, testosterone, SHBG, and DHEAS were assessed using a competitive chemiluminescence immunoassay. Free testosterone was calculated from the total testosterone and SHBG. Self-reported depression severity, generic health-related quality of life, hope, satisfaction with life, and optimism-pessimism were evaluated using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey, the Adult Hope Scale (AHS), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and the Life Orientation Test Revised, respectively - higher total scores of these scales indicating greater levels of these variables -. RESULTS Testosterone and free testosterone levels were inversely associated with BDI-II values in men (all P≤0.042). Cortisol levels were positively related with SWLS scores, whereas testosterone, free testosterone, SHBG, and DHEAS levels were negatively correlated with BDI-II values in women (all P≤0.045). CONCLUSION In summary, these results suggest that increased levels of steroid hormones - within the normal values - may be associated with better mental health in middle-aged adults.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Héctor Vázquez-Lorente
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | | | - Luis Gutiérrez-Rojas
- Department of Psychiatry and CTS-549 Research Group, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Manuel J Castillo
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Francisco J Amaro-Gahete
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria, ibs.Granada, Granada, Spain.
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Zhai P, Liu H, Zhang Y, Huang T, Xiong C, Liu Y, Wang G, Chen X, Tan J, Jiao C, Zhan J, Cheng J. Correlation analysis between sleep quality and the mental health status of female sex workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hubei Province. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1193266. [PMID: 37529609 PMCID: PMC10388539 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1193266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Female sex workers (FSWs) in entertainment venues are subject to condemnation and rejection by their families and the outside world. As a result, they are prone to psychological problems, including anxiety and even suicidal tendencies. The aim of the current study was to understand the sleep and mental health status of local FSWs and to identify associated risk factors, so as to provide a scientific basis for improving the social recognition of FSWs and establishing effective psychological interventions. Methods A stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select women engaged in commercial sex in bathing, sauna, karaoke halls and other entertainment venues. A self-designed questionnaire assessing mental health-related factors was administered face-to-face with the respondents. 90 participants were randomly selected for blood tests to analyze the relationship between biological indicators and sleep quality. Results The rates of depression, anxiety and somnipathy among FSWs were 32.7%, 43.1% and 8.6%, respectively. The correlation coefficients (r) between sleep quality and depression, anxiety and social support were 0.07, 0.09 and -0.09, respectively. Divorce or widowhood, technical secondary school education, alcohol consumption and exercise were independent risk factors for depression in FSWs (p< 0.05) while living in urban areas and counties and having a sense of social support were protective factors (P< 0.05). Quarantining due to the pandemic and exercise were independent risk factors for anxiety in FSWs (P< 0.05) while living in counties and having a sense of social support were protective factors (P< 0.05). Quarantining due to the pandemic was an independent risk factor for somnipathy in FSWs (P< 0.05) while being married was a protective factor (P< 0.05). NE/NA was a protective factor for sleep disorders (OR=0.042, P=0.05), with an AUC of 0.87. Conclusion FSWs should appropriately adjust their work form during the pandemic period, maintain a positive and optimistic attitude, establish long-term stable social relationships, and seek a greater sense of social support. The government should provide comprehensive bio-psycho-social interventions to address the mental and physical health status of this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piyong Zhai
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Hao Liu
- Institute of Health Inspection and Testing, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yutong Zhang
- Division of infectious disease, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Huang
- Institute for the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases, Huanggang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Huanggang, China
| | - Change Xiong
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yang Liu
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Guiping Wang
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xin Chen
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jianhua Tan
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Chengjun Jiao
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jianbo Zhan
- Institute of Health Inspection and Testing, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jing Cheng
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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Gao J, Liu F, Xu J, Wang J, Mou J, Wang L. The influence of family incivility on cyberbullying perpetration: A moderated mediation model. Front Psychol 2022; 13:975335. [PMID: 36092052 PMCID: PMC9454330 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.975335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous research has extended the stress literature by exploring the relationship between family incivility and cyberbullying perpetration, yet relatively less attention has been paid to underlying psychological mechanisms between that relationship among university students. According to the Frustration-Aggression Theory, this study examined the relationships of family incivility, cyberbullying perpetration, negative emotions and neuroticism among Chinese university students. Data were collected from 814 university students (females, N = 423; Mage = 19.96 years, SD = 3.09). The results examined the mechanism through which family incivility was significantly related to cyberbullying perpetration through the mediation of negative emotions, suggesting a strong link of stressful life events to online aggression. In addition, high levels of neuroticism moderated the relationship between family incivility and cyberbullying perpetration, as well as that between family incivility and negative emotions. The study revealed the chronic and potential impact of family incivility, underlined the interaction between stressful life events and online aggression, and put forward the intervention strategies of cyberbullying among university students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Gao
- International College, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Fang Liu
- College of Teacher Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Jianjun Xu
- United Faculty of China and French, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- *Correspondence: Jianjun Xu,
| | - Jinyu Wang
- United Faculty of China and French, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Jiaqi Mou
- United Faculty of China and French, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Lingchao Wang
- College of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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de Vries LP, van de Weijer MP, Bartels M. The human physiology of well-being: A systematic review on the association between neurotransmitters, hormones, inflammatory markers, the microbiome and well-being. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 139:104733. [PMID: 35697161 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104733] [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: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
To understand the pathways through which well-being contributes to health, we performed a systematic review according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines on the association between well-being and physiological markers in four categories, neurotransmitters, hormones, inflammatory markers, and microbiome. We identified 91 studies. Neurotransmitter studies (knumber of studies=9) reported only a possible positive association between serotonin and well-being. For the hormone studies (k = 48), a lower momentary cortisol level was related to higher well-being (meta-analytic r = -0.06), and a steeper diurnal slope of cortisol levels. Inflammatory marker studies (k = 36) reported negative or non-significant relations with well-being, with meta-analytic estimates of respectively r = -0.07 and r = -0.05 for C-reactive protein and interleukin-6. Microbiome studies (k = 4) reported inconsistent associations between different bacteria abundance and well-being. The results indicate possible but small roles of serotonin, cortisol, and inflammatory markers in explaining differences in well-being. The inconsistent and limited results for other markers and microbiome require further research. Future directions for a complete picture of the physiological factors underlying well-being are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianne P de Vries
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Margot P van de Weijer
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Meike Bartels
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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López-Alarcón M, Zurita-Cruz JN, Torres-Rodríguez A, Bedia-Mejía K, Pérez-Güemez M, Jaramillo-Villanueva L, Rendón-Macías ME, Fernández JR, Martínez-Maroñas P. Mindfulness affects stress, ghrelin, and BMI of obese children: a clinical trial. Endocr Connect 2020; 9:163-172. [PMID: 32045358 PMCID: PMC7040861 DOI: 10.1530/ec-19-0461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Childhood obesity is associated with stress. However, most treatment strategies include only dietary and physical activity approaches. Mindfulness may assist in weight reduction, but its effectiveness is unclear. We assessed the effect of mindfulness on stress, appetite regulators, and weight of children with obesity and anxiety. A clinical study was conducted in a pediatric hospital. Eligible children were 10-14 years old, BMI ≥95th percentile, Spence anxiety score ≥55, and who were not taking any medication or supplementation. Participants were assigned to receive an 8-week conventional nutritional intervention (CNI) or an 8-week mindfulness-based intervention plus CNI (MND-CNI). Anthropometry, body composition, leptin, insulin, ghrelin, cortisol, and Spence scores were measured at baseline and at the end of the intervention. Anthropometry was analyzed again 8 weeks after concluding interventions. Log-transformed and delta values were calculated for analysis. Thirty-three MND-CNI and 12 CNI children finished interventions; 17 MND-CNI children accomplished 16 weeks. At the end of the intervention, significant reductions in anxiety score (-6.21 ± 1.10), BMI (-0.45 ± 1.2 kg/m2), body fat (-1.28 ± 0.25%), ghrelin (-0.71 ± 0.37 pg/mL), and serum cortisol (-1.42 ± 0.94 µg/dL) were observed in MND-CNI children. Changes in anxiety score, ghrelin, and cortisol were different between groups (P < 0.05). Children who completed 16 weeks decreased BMI after intervention (-0.944 ± 0.20 kg/m2, P < 0.001) and remained lower 8 weeks later (-0.706 ± 0.19 kg/m2, P = 0.001). We concluded that mindfulness is a promising tool as an adjunctive therapy for childhood obesity. However, our findings need confirmation in a larger sample population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mardia López-Alarcón
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Nutrición, Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, México, Mexico
| | - Jessie N Zurita-Cruz
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Nutrición, Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, México, Mexico
| | | | - Karla Bedia-Mejía
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Nutrición, Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, México, Mexico
| | - Manuel Pérez-Güemez
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Nutrición, Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, México, Mexico
| | - Leonel Jaramillo-Villanueva
- Departamento de Psiquiatría, Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, México, Mexico
| | - Mario E Rendón-Macías
- Universidad Panamericana, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Escuela de Medicina, México, Mexico
| | - Jose R Fernández
- Departments of Nutrition Sciences and Biostatistics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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Klimes-Dougan B, Chong LS, Samikoglu A, Thai M, Amatya P, Cullen KR, Lim KO. Transcendental meditation and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis functioning: a pilot, randomized controlled trial with young adults. Stress 2020; 23:105-115. [PMID: 31418329 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2019.1656714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcendental meditation (TM) is effective in alleviating stress and anxiety and promoting well-being. While the underlying biological mechanisms of TM are not yet fully explored, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis represents an index providing important clues embodying the stress system cascade. In this pilot study, young adults were randomly assigned to TM training followed by 8 weeks of meditation practice or a wait-list control condition. TM was conducted over 8 weeks. Thirty-four young adult participants were randomized; 27 participants completed the HPA outcome assessments (41% male). To assess HPA axis functioning, salivary samples to assess cortisol awakening response (CAR) that were collected in the morning, both at baseline and at week-4. Salivary cortisol in the context of a social stressor using the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) was collected at week-8. The results indicate that participants who were randomly assigned to TM had lower awakening salivary cortisol levels and a greater drop in CAR from baseline to week-4 than the control group. There were no significant differences in HPA axis functioning in the context of the TSST. Primary limitations of this randomized controlled trial were the small sample size, the use of a wait-list as opposed to an active control, and the limited scope of HPA axis assessments. The results of this pilot study provide tentative evidence that TM may impact biological stress system functioning and suggests that this may be a worthwhile avenue to continue to examine. It will also be useful to extend these findings to a broader array of meditative and mindful practices, particularly for those who are experiencing more distress.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Li Shen Chong
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Ali Samikoglu
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Michelle Thai
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Palistha Amatya
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Kathryn R Cullen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Kelvin O Lim
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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Liu H, Chen IC, Wilkinson L, Pearson J, Zhang Y. Sexual Orientation and Diabetes During the Transition to Adulthood. LGBT Health 2019; 6:227-234. [PMID: 31170023 DOI: 10.1089/lgbt.2018.0153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine how sexual orientation in adolescence and young adulthood was linked to diabetes risk. Methods: Data were drawn from the 1994-2008 National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. The baseline sample included 4330 girls and 3510 boys ages 12-18. Guided by the life course approach, we considered both the timing and continuity of sexual orientation-broadly defined by sexual identity, sexual attraction, sexual contact, and romantic/sexual relationships-by differentiating respondents into four categories: sexual minority in both adolescence and adulthood, sexual minority in adulthood only, sexual minority in adolescence only, and heterosexual in both adolescence and young adulthood. Diabetes was identified using A1c and glucose biomarkers and self-reports of diabetes diagnosis or medication use. Results: Results from logistic regression models indicated that in comparison with their continuously heterosexual counterparts, respondents reporting sexual minority status in adulthood only or continuously in both adolescence and adulthood had higher diabetes risk in adulthood. However, respondents reporting sexual minority status in adolescence only were not different in diabetes risk in adulthood. The association between diabetes risk and continuous sexual minority status was stronger among women than among men. Conclusions: Sexual minority health disparities emerge early in the life course during adolescence and young adulthood. These findings highlight the importance of designing and implementing policies and public programs to alleviate minority stress early in life to reduce health disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Liu
- 1 Department of Sociology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - I-Chien Chen
- 2 College of Education, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Lindsey Wilkinson
- 3 Department of Sociology, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Jennifer Pearson
- 4 Department of Sociology, Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas
| | - Yan Zhang
- 1 Department of Sociology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
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Role of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis in Health and Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19040986. [PMID: 29587417 PMCID: PMC5979578 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19040986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Revised: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
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