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Martocchia A, Gallucci M, Noale M, Maggi S, Cassol M, Stefanelli M, Postacchini D, Proietti A, Barbagallo M, Dominguez LJ, Ferri C, Desideri G, Toussan L, Pastore F, Falaschi GM, Paolisso G, Falaschi P. The cortisol burden in elderly subjects with metabolic syndrome and its association with low-grade inflammation. Aging Clin Exp Res 2020; 32:1309-1315. [PMID: 31471891 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-019-01322-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elderly people are exposed to an increased load of stressful events and neuro-hormonal stimulation is a key finding in metabolic syndrome and its related disorders. AIMS To determine the role of cortisol in elderly subjects, with or without metabolic syndrome (MetS), by means of a national multicentre observational study, AGICO (AGIng and Cortisol). METHODS From 2012 to 2017, the AGICO study enrolled n.339 subjects (aged > 65), after obtaining their informed consent. The investigators assessed a cardio-metabolic panel (including electrocardiogram, carotid ultrasonography and echocardiography), the presence of MetS (on Adult Treatment Panel III criteria), a neurological examination (including brain imaging), and cortisol activity (using a consecutive collection of diurnal and nocturnal urine). RESULTS In the patients presenting with MetS, the standardized diurnal and nocturnal cortisol excretion rates were 210.7 ± 145.5 and 173.7 ± 118.1 (mean ± standard deviation) μg/g creatinine/12 h; in those without MetS, the standardized diurnal and nocturnal cortisol excretion rates were 188.7 ± 92.7 and 144.1 ± 82.3 μg/g creatinine/12 h, respectively (nocturnal urinary cortisol in patients with MetS versus those without MetS p = 0.05, female patients with MetS vs female patients without MetS, p < 0.025). A significant positive correlation was found between the CRP levels and both the diurnal and nocturnal urinary cortisol levels with r = 0.187 (p < 0.025) and r = 0.411 (p < 0.00000001), respectively. DISCUSSION The elderly patients with MetS showed a trend towards increased standardized nocturnal cortisol excretions, with particular regard to the female subjects. CONCLUSION The positive correlation between cortisol excretion and low-grade inflammation suggests a common mechanism driving both hormonal and inflammatory changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Martocchia
- S. Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Via di Grottarossa 1035, 00189, Rome, Italy.
| | - M Gallucci
- Cognitive Impairment Centre, Local Health Authority n.2, Marca Trevigiana, Treviso, Italy
| | - M Noale
- National Research Council, Neuroscience Institute, Padua, Italy
| | - S Maggi
- National Research Council, Neuroscience Institute, Padua, Italy
| | - M Cassol
- S. Pietro Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - M Stefanelli
- S. Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Via di Grottarossa 1035, 00189, Rome, Italy
| | - D Postacchini
- Italian National Research Centre on Aging IRCCS-INRCA, Fermo, Italy
| | - A Proietti
- S. Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Via di Grottarossa 1035, 00189, Rome, Italy
| | - M Barbagallo
- Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - L J Dominguez
- Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - C Ferri
- University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | | | - L Toussan
- S. Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Via di Grottarossa 1035, 00189, Rome, Italy
| | - F Pastore
- S. Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Via di Grottarossa 1035, 00189, Rome, Italy
| | - G M Falaschi
- S. Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Via di Grottarossa 1035, 00189, Rome, Italy
| | - G Paolisso
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - P Falaschi
- S. Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Via di Grottarossa 1035, 00189, Rome, Italy
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