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Normando P, Bezerra FF, Santana BA, Calado RT, Santos-Rebouças CB, Epel ES, Faerstein E. Association between socioeconomic markers and adult telomere length differs according to sex: Pro-Saúde study. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 53:e10223. [PMID: 33053112 PMCID: PMC7552895 DOI: 10.1590/1414-431x202010223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the social determinants of telomere length is critical to evaluate the risk of early biological aging. We investigated sex differences on the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and demographic markers and leukocyte telomere length (LTL) in Brazilian adults. This cross-sectional study was conducted in a subsample (women=228; men=200) nested within the Pro-Saúde study, a prospective cohort study of university civil servants in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2012-2013). Adjusted multivariate models were used to test the relationship between SES markers (marital status, educational attainment, father's educational attainment, race/skin color, household income, and childhood experience of food deprivation) and LTL. After adjusting for age and potential health-related confounders, lower educational attainment was associated with shorter LTL among men (β=-0.05, 95% confidence interval (CI)=95%CI: -0.10, 0.00, P=0.03). In women, LTL was inversely associated with unmarried status (β=-0.05, 95%CI: -0.09, 0.00, P=0.03), lower father's educational attainment (β=-0.05, 95%CI: -0.13, 0.00, P=0.04), and childhood experience of food deprivation (β=-0.07, 95%CI: -0.13, 0.00, P=0.04). Our findings suggested that the association between SES markers and LTL differs according to sex. SES markers able to induce lifelong stress, reflected in LTL, appeared to be more related to individual factors in men, whereas in women they were family-related.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Normando
- Instituto de Nutrição, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - F F Bezerra
- Instituto de Nutrição, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - B A Santana
- Departamento de Imagens Médicas, Hematologia e Oncologia Clínica, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - R T Calado
- Departamento de Imagens Médicas, Hematologia e Oncologia Clínica, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - C B Santos-Rebouças
- Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - E S Epel
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - E Faerstein
- Instituto de Medicina Social, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
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Epel E, Laraia B, Coleman-Phox K, Leung C, Vieten C, Mellin L, Kristeller JL, Thomas M, Stotland N, Bush N, Lustig RH, Dallman M, Hecht FM, Adler N. Effects of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Distress, Weight Gain, and Glucose Control for Pregnant Low-Income Women: A Quasi-Experimental Trial Using the ORBIT Model. Int J Behav Med 2019; 26:461-473. [PMID: 30993601 PMCID: PMC6785577 DOI: 10.1007/s12529-019-09779-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background Stress can lead to excessive weight gain. Mindfulness-based stress reduction that incorporates mindful eating shows promise for reducing stress, overeating, and improving glucose control. No interventions have tested mindfulness training with a focus on healthy eating and weight gain during pregnancy, a period of common excessive weight gain. Here, we test the effectiveness of such an intervention, the Mindful Moms Training (MMT), on perceived stress, eating behaviors, and gestational weight gain in a high-risk sample of low income women with overweight/obesity. Method We conducted a quasi-experimental study assigning 115 pregnant women to MMT for 8 weeks and comparing them to 105 sociodemographically and weight equivalent pregnant women receiving treatment as usual. Our main outcomes included weight gain (primary outcome), perceived stress, and depression. Results Women in MMT showed significant reductions in perceived stress (β = − 0.16) and depressive symptoms (β = − 0.21) compared to the treatment as usual (TAU) control group. Consistent with national norms, the majority of women (68%) gained excessive weight according to Institute of Medicine weight-gain categories, regardless of group. Slightly more women in the MMT group gained below the recommendation. Among secondary outcomes, women in MMT reported increased physical activity (β = 0.26) and had lower glucose post-oral glucose tolerance test (β = − 0.23), being 66% less likely to have impaired glucose tolerance, compared to the TAU group. Conclusion A short-term intervention led to significant improvements in stress, and showed promise for preventing glucose intolerance. However, the majority of women gained excessive weight. A longer more intensive intervention may be needed for this high-risk population. Clinical Trials.gov #NCT01307683.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Epel
- Center for Health and Community, University of California, San Francisco, 3333 California St, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
| | - B Laraia
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, 50 University Hall #7360, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - K Coleman-Phox
- Center for Health and Community, University of California, San Francisco, 3333 California St, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - C Leung
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, SPH I 3866, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, USA
| | - C Vieten
- Center for Health and Community, University of California, San Francisco, 3333 California St, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - L Mellin
- Center for Health and Community, University of California, San Francisco, 3333 California St, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - J L Kristeller
- Department of Psychology, Indiana State University, 200 North Seventh St, Terre Haute, IN, 47809, USA
| | - M Thomas
- Center for Health and Community, University of California, San Francisco, 3333 California St, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - N Stotland
- Center for Health and Community, University of California, San Francisco, 3333 California St, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - N Bush
- Center for Health and Community, University of California, San Francisco, 3333 California St, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - R H Lustig
- Center for Health and Community, University of California, San Francisco, 3333 California St, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - M Dallman
- Center for Health and Community, University of California, San Francisco, 3333 California St, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - F M Hecht
- Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, 1545 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA, 94115, USA
| | - N Adler
- Center for Health and Community, University of California, San Francisco, 3333 California St, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
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Leung C, Epel E. HEALTHFUL DIET PATTERNS ARE POSITIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH LEUKOCYTE TELOMERE LENGTH IN HEALTHY ADULTS. Innov Aging 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igx004.1143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- C. Leung
- Center for Health and Community, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - E. Epel
- Center for Health and Community, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
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Epel E, Verhoeven J. Can Reducing Psychological Distress Slow Down the Rate of Telomere Attrition? Eur Psychiatry 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.01.110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Specific types of cognitions and mental processes may lead to greater stress arousal and may subsequently impact cell longevity. The study of telomeres and telomere-related molecular systems may provide a pathway for exploring the link between psychological domains and cell physiology. Based on findings emerging from clinical and preclinical data, we hypothesize that the telomere-telomerase system contributes to explain certain biological underpinnings of psychological interventions.In this symposium we’ll present the preliminary evidence on the complex translational relationships between specific psychological domains (i.e. childhood adversities, stressful life events, mindfulness-based interventions and perceived distress), the telomere-telomerase system and clinical outcomes. Further, we’ll discuss preliminary data on the effect of mindfulness- and meditation-based interventions on cellular ageing and disease-associated molecular phenotypes.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
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Bersani F, Gilbert A, Coccia M, Saron C, Epel E. Trait Mindfulness at Baseline Predicts Increases in Telomerase Activity Over Time. Eur Psychiatry 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.01.1459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction.Preliminary investigations of cross-sectional samples have linked trait mindfulness with measures related to the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA)-mediated stress response and to the inflammatory system, suggesting that this is one potential pathway linking mindfulness based interventions and health. However, no previous studies explored the association between the trait mindfulness construct and markers of cellular ageing.Methods.In the current study we examined in a sample of healthy mothers (n = 92) of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (i.e. women showing high levels of chronic psychological stress) the prospective associations between a multidimensional scale of trait mindfulness, the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), and telomerase activity (TA), a marker of cellular ageing and telomere homeostasis. Participants’ trait mindfulness and TA were assessed at baseline as well as 9 and 18 month follow-up.Results.Analysis showed that higher levels of baseline mindfulness on FFMQ observation and describe subscales were related to increase in TA from baseline to 9 month (r = 0.27, P = 0.03 and r = 0.24, P = .04, respectively). Additionally, the FFMQ Describe subscale was related to increase in TA from baseline to 18 month (r = .30, P = .02). Results are reported following covariate adjustment of age, BMI, ethnicity, and education.Discussion.Our results showed that higher levels of baseline mindfulness are associated with higher increases in TA after 9 months and 18 months, with increased TA reportedly being associated with decreased oxidative damage, increased telomere length and overall more functional cellular physiology. These findings support a role of mindfulness-related interventions to increase general and mental health.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
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Olafsdottir G, Cloke P, Epel E, Lin J, van Dyck Z, Thorleifsdottir B, Eysteinsson T, Gudjonsdottir M, Vögele C. Green exercise is associated with better cell ageing profiles. Eur J Public Health 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckw165.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Leung CW, Laraia BA, Coleman-Phox K, Bush NR, Lin J, Blackburn EH, Adler NE, Epel ES. Sugary beverage and food consumption, and leukocyte telomere length maintenance in pregnant women. Eur J Clin Nutr 2016; 70:1086-8. [PMID: 27302671 PMCID: PMC5014682 DOI: 10.1038/ejcn.2016.93] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Revised: 02/16/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) has been inversely associated with sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption in cross-sectional studies, but no studies have examined whether dietary intake influences LTL over time. This study examined longitudinal associations between sugary foods and beverages and LTL. Participants were 65 overweight and obese pregnant women, aged 18-45 years, from a mindfulness intervention study conducted from early pregnancy (⩽16 weeks gestation) and followed through 9 months postpartum. During pregnancy and postpartum, dietary intake was measured with 24-h diet recalls, and LTL was assessed using quantitative PCR. Adjusting for sociodemographic and health characteristics, decreased SSB consumption from baseline to 9 months postpartum was associated with greater concurrent LTL lengthening (β=-0.102, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.192, -0.013). No associations between sugary foods and LTL were found in either period. The finding that reduced SSB consumption is associated with increased LTL warrants investigation in large cohort studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- C W Leung
- Center for Health and Community, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - B A Laraia
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - K Coleman-Phox
- Center for Health and Community, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - N R Bush
- Center for Health and Community, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - J Lin
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - E H Blackburn
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - N E Adler
- Center for Health and Community, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - E S Epel
- Center for Health and Community, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Epel ES, Puterman E, Lin J, Blackburn EH, Lum PY, Beckmann ND, Zhu J, Lee E, Gilbert A, Rissman RA, Tanzi RE, Schadt EE. Meditation and vacation effects have an impact on disease-associated molecular phenotypes. Transl Psychiatry 2016; 6:e880. [PMID: 27576169 PMCID: PMC5022094 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2016.164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2016] [Revised: 07/07/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Meditation is becoming increasingly practiced, especially for stress-related medical conditions. Meditation may improve cellular health; however, studies have not separated out effects of meditation from vacation-like effects in a residential randomized controlled trial. We recruited healthy women non-meditators to live at a resort for 6 days and randomized to either meditation retreat or relaxing on-site, with both groups compared with 'regular meditators' already enrolled in the retreat. Blood drawn at baseline and post intervention was assessed for transcriptome-wide expression patterns and aging-related biomarkers. Highly significant gene expression changes were detected across all groups (the 'vacation effect') that could accurately predict (96% accuracy) between baseline and post-intervention states and were characterized by improved regulation of stress response, immune function and amyloid beta (Aβ) metabolism. Although a smaller set of genes was affected, regular meditators showed post-intervention differences in a gene network characterized by lower regulation of protein synthesis and viral genome activity. Changes in well-being were assessed post intervention relative to baseline, as well as 1 and 10 months later. All groups showed equivalently large immediate post-intervention improvements in well-being, but novice meditators showed greater maintenance of lower distress over time compared with those in the vacation arm. Regular meditators showed a trend toward increased telomerase activity compared with randomized women, who showed increased plasma Aβ42/Aβ40 ratios and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels. This highly controlled residential study showed large salutary changes in gene expression networks due to the vacation effect, common to all groups. For those already trained in the practice of meditation, a retreat appears to provide additional benefits to cellular health beyond the vacation effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- E S Epel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - E Puterman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - J Lin
- Departments of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - E H Blackburn
- Departments of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - P Y Lum
- Capella Biosciences Inc., Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - N D Beckmann
- Institute for Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - J Zhu
- Institute for Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - E Lee
- Institute for Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - A Gilbert
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - R A Rissman
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - R E Tanzi
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - E E Schadt
- Institute for Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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Wojcicki JM, Olveda R, Heyman MB, Elwan D, Lin J, Blackburn E, Epel E. Cord blood telomere length in Latino infants: relation with maternal education and infant sex. J Perinatol 2016; 36:235-41. [PMID: 26633142 DOI: 10.1038/jp.2015.178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2015] [Revised: 10/16/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Telomere length (TL) has important consequences for early disease and lifelong health. However, few studies have examined determinants of TL at birth. STUDY DESIGN Here we test associations between cord blood TL and parental and birth factors associated with exposure to stress and indicative of healthy intrauterine life in Latino infants. We tested associations that were significant in bivariate analysis in a multivariate regression model to identify independent predictors for shorter TL at birth. RESULT Two novel and independent predictors emerged in our analysis of 54 infants. Female gender was associated with longer TL by ~350 base pairs (adjusted β-coefficient for male gender=-369.57, (95% confidence interval, -718.21 to (-)20.92), P=0.02); rho=-0.26, P=0.057). Increased maternal high-school education, as indicated by a high-school diploma or additional education beyond high school, was also associated with longer TL, by ~500 base pairs (adjusted β-coefficient for high-school diploma or greater=505.68 (95% confidence interval, 151.69 to 859.68), P<0.01); rho=0.36, P<0.01). Increasing head circumference trended towards statistical significance in association with longer TL (adjusted β-coefficient = 7.33; 95% confidence interval -0.52 to 15.18; P=0.07). When we removed all infants who had been exposed to high oxidative stress in pregnancy including those exposed to maternal hypertension, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and those who were low birth weight or preterm birth (n=7), increasing birth weight percentile was associated with longer TL (adjusted β-coefficient=8.04 (95% confidence interval 0.07 to 16.00), P=0.048). CONCLUSION Shorter TL at birth is associated with being male, low maternal education (less than a high school degree), and a trend towards lower birth weight and head circumference. Given the critical role of long TL in predicting health and disease, these findings contribute to the growing literature attempting to understand determinants of TL.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Wojcicki
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - R Olveda
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - M B Heyman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - D Elwan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - J Lin
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - E Blackburn
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - E Epel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Rasgon N, Lin KW, Lin J, Epel E, Blackburn E. Telomere length as a predictor of response to Pioglitazone in patients with unremitted depression: a preliminary study. Transl Psychiatry 2016; 6:e709. [PMID: 26731446 PMCID: PMC5068869 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2015.187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2015] [Accepted: 09/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
We studied peripheral leukocyte telomere length (LTL) as a predictor of antidepressant response to PPAR-γ agonist in patients with unremitted depression. In addition we examined correlation between LTL and the insulin resistance (IR) status in these subjects. Forty-two medically stable men and women ages 23-71 with non-remitted depression participated in double-blind placebo-controlled add-on of Pioglitazone to treatment-as-usual. Oral glucose tolerance tests were administered at baseline and at 12 weeks. Diagnostic evaluation of psychiatric disorders was performed at baseline and mood severity was followed weekly throughout the duration of the trial. At baseline, no differences in LTL were detected by depression severity, duration or chronicity. LTL was also not significantly different between insulin-resistant and insulin-sensitive subjects at baseline. Subjects with longer telomeres exhibited greater declines in depression severity in the active arm, but not in a placebo arm, P=0.005, r=-0.63, 95% confidence interval (95% CI)=(-0.84,-0.21). In addition, LTL predicted improvement in insulin sensitivity in the group overall and did not differ between intervention arms, P=0.036, r=-0.44, 95% CI=(-0.74,0.02) for the active arm, and P=0.026, r=-0.50, 95% CI=(-0.78,-0.03) for the placebo arm. LTL may emerge as a viable predictor of antidepressant response. An association between insulin sensitization and LTL regardless of the baseline IR status points to potential role of LTL as a non-specific moderator of metabolic improvement in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Rasgon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA,Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, University of California, 401 Quarry Road, Stanford, CA 94305-5723, USA. E-mail:
| | - K W Lin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA,Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - J Lin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA,Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - E Epel
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA,Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - E Blackburn
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA,Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Henje Blom E, Han LKM, Connolly CG, Ho TC, Lin J, LeWinn KZ, Simmons AN, Sacchet MD, Mobayed N, Luna ME, Paulus M, Epel ES, Blackburn EH, Wolkowitz OM, Yang TT. Peripheral telomere length and hippocampal volume in adolescents with major depressive disorder. Transl Psychiatry 2015; 5:e676. [PMID: 26556285 PMCID: PMC5068765 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2015.172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2015] [Revised: 08/26/2015] [Accepted: 09/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Several studies have reported that adults with major depressive disorder have shorter telomere length and reduced hippocampal volumes. Moreover, studies of adult populations without major depressive disorder suggest a relationship between peripheral telomere length and hippocampal volume. However, the relationship of these findings in adolescents with major depressive disorder has yet to be explored. We examined whether adolescent major depressive disorder is associated with altered peripheral telomere length and hippocampal volume, and whether these measures relate to one another. In 54 unmedicated adolescents (13-18 years) with major depressive disorder and 63 well-matched healthy controls, telomere length was assessed from saliva using quantitative polymerase chain reaction methods, and bilateral hippocampal volumes were measured with magnetic resonance imaging. After adjusting for age and sex (and total brain volume in the hippocampal analysis), adolescents with major depressive disorder exhibited significantly shorter telomere length and significantly smaller right, but not left hippocampal volume. When corrected for age, sex, diagnostic group and total brain volume, telomere length was not significantly associated with left or right hippocampal volume, suggesting that these cellular and neural processes may be mechanistically distinct during adolescence. Our findings suggest that shortening of telomere length and reduction of hippocampal volume are already present in early-onset major depressive disorder and thus unlikely to be only a result of accumulated years of exposure to major depressive disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Henje Blom
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden,Department of Psychiatry, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, 401 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA. E-mail:
| | - L K M Han
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA,Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Amsterdam Brain and Cognition, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - C G Connolly
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - T C Ho
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - J Lin
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - K Z LeWinn
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - A N Simmons
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA,The Veterans Affairs Health Care System of San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - M D Sacchet
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA,Neuroscience Programs and Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - N Mobayed
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - M E Luna
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - M Paulus
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - E S Epel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - E H Blackburn
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - O M Wolkowitz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - T T Yang
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Wojcicki JM, Heyman MB, Elwan D, Shiboski S, Lin J, Blackburn E, Epel E. Telomere length is associated with oppositional defiant behavior and maternal clinical depression in Latino preschool children. Transl Psychiatry 2015; 5:e581. [PMID: 26080316 PMCID: PMC4490282 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2015.71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2015] [Revised: 04/15/2015] [Accepted: 04/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to psychological stress and depression are associated with shorter white blood cell telomere length (TL) in adults, possibly via associated lifelong oxidative stressors. Exposure to maternal depression increases risk for future depression and behavior problems in children, and Latino youth are at high risk. Few studies have evaluated the role of exposure to maternal depression or child behavior in relation to TL in children. We assessed early-childhood exposures to maternal depression from birth to the age of 5 years and child behavior from ages 3-5 years in a cohort of Latino children in relation to child leukocyte TL at ages 4 and 5 years. Children who had oppositional defiant behavior at 3, 4 or 5 years had shorter TL than those without by ~450 base pairs (P < 0.01). In multivariate analyses, independent predictors for shorter TL at 4 and 5 years of age included oppositional defiant disorder at 3, 4 or 5 years (β = -359.25, 95% CI -633.84 to 84.66; P = 0.01), exposure to maternal clinical depression at 3 years of age (β = -363.99, 95% CI -651.24 to 764.74; P = 0.01), shorter maternal TL (β = 502.92, 95% CI 189.21-816.63) and younger paternal age at the child's birth (β = 24.63, 95% CI 1.14-48.12). Thus, exposure to maternal clinical depression (versus depressive symptoms) in early childhood was associated with deleterious consequences on child cellular health as indicated by shorter TL at 4 and 5 years of age. Similarly, children with oppositional defiant behavior also had shorter TL, possibly related to early exposures to maternal clinical depression. Our study is the first to link maternal clinical depression and oppositional defiant behavior with shorter TL in the preschool years in a relatively homogenous population of low-income Latino children.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Wojcicki
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA,Department of Pediatrics, University of California, 550 16th Street, 5th Floor, Mail Stop 0136, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA. E-mail:
| | - M B Heyman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - D Elwan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - S Shiboski
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - J Lin
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - E Blackburn
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - E Epel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Prather AA, Epel ES, Arenander J, Broestl L, Garay BI, Wang D, Dubal DB. Longevity factor klotho and chronic psychological stress. Transl Psychiatry 2015; 5:e585. [PMID: 26080320 PMCID: PMC4490291 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2015.81] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2015] [Accepted: 05/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic psychological stress is associated with accelerated aging and premature morbidity and mortality; however, the biology linking chronic psychological stress and its maladaptive effects remains largely unknown. Klotho is a pleiotropic hormone that regulates the aging process and promotes better brain and body health. Whether klotho is linked to psychosocial stress or its negative impact in humans has not been investigated. To address this gap, we recruited 178 healthy women who were either chronically high-stress maternal caregivers for a child with autism spectrum disorder (n = 90) or low-stress control mothers of a typically developing child (n = 88). We found that women under high chronic stress displayed significantly lower levels of the longevity hormone klotho compared with low-stress controls (t(176) = 2.92, P = 0.004; d = 0.44), and the decrease among those under high stress was age-dependent. In addition, high-stress caregivers who reported more depressive symptoms displayed even lower klotho levels compared with low-stress participants. These findings provide the first evidence that klotho levels are sensitive to psychosocial stressors and raise the possibility that klotho may serve as a novel biological link connecting stress, depression and risk for accelerated disease development. Furthermore, these findings have important implications for understanding the plasticity of the aging process and may represent a therapeutic target for mitigating the deleterious effects of chronic psychological stress on health and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Prather
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA,Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, 3333 California Street, Suite 465, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA E-mail:
| | - E S Epel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - J Arenander
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - L Broestl
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - B I Garay
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - D Wang
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - D B Dubal
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA,Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA. E-mail:
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Puterman E, Lin J, Krauss J, Blackburn EH, Epel ES. Determinants of telomere attrition over 1 year in healthy older women: stress and health behaviors matter. Mol Psychiatry 2015; 20:529-35. [PMID: 25070535 PMCID: PMC4310821 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2014.70] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2014] [Revised: 05/13/2014] [Accepted: 06/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Telomere length, a reliable predictor of disease pathogenesis, can be affected by genetics, chronic stress and health behaviors. Cross-sectionally, highly stressed postmenopausal women have shorter telomeres, but only if they are inactive. However, no studies have prospectively examined telomere length change over a short period, and if rate of attrition is affected by naturalistic factors such as stress and engagement in healthy behaviors, including diet, exercise, and sleep. Here we followed healthy women over 1 year to test if major stressors that occurred over the year predicted telomere shortening, and whether engaging in healthy behaviors during this period mitigates this effect. In 239 postmenopausal, non-smoking, disease-free women, accumulation of major life stressors across a 1-year period predicted telomere attrition over the same period-for every major life stressor that occurred during the year, there was a significantly greater decline in telomere length over the year of 35 bp (P<0.05). Yet, these effects were moderated by health behaviors (interaction B=0.19, P=0.04). Women who maintained relatively higher levels of health behaviors (1 s.d. above the mean) appeared to be protected when exposed to stress. This finding has implications for understanding malleability of telomere length, as well as expectations for possible intervention effects. This is the first study to identify predictors of telomere length change over the short period of a year.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Puterman
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - J Lin
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - J Krauss
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - E H Blackburn
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - E S Epel
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Cedars M, Bleil M, Kao CN, Carranza T, Epel E, Lin J, Blackburn E, Rosen M. Do common underlying mechanisms make the ovary a window onto general heatlh risk for disease development? Fertil Steril 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2014.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Corey S, Moran P, Koslov K, Daubenmier J, Mendes W, Bacchetti P, Acree M, Kemeny M, Goldman V, Hall M, Epel E, Hecht F. P02.134. Effect of dispositional mindfulness on recovery from an acute laboratory stressor. BMC Complement Altern Med 2012. [PMCID: PMC3373383 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-12-s1-p190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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17
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Wolkowitz OM, Mellon SH, Epel ES, Lin J, Reus VI, Rosser R, Burke H, Compagnone M, Nelson JC, Dhabhar FS, Blackburn EH. Resting leukocyte telomerase activity is elevated in major depression and predicts treatment response. Mol Psychiatry 2012; 17:164-72. [PMID: 21242992 PMCID: PMC3130817 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2010.133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Telomeres are DNA-protein complexes that cap linear DNA strands, protecting DNA from damage. When telomeres critically shorten, cells become susceptible to senescence and apoptosis. Telomerase, a cellular ribonucleoprotein enzyme, rebuilds the length of telomeres and promotes cellular viability. Leukocyte telomeres are reportedly shortened in major depression, but telomerase activity in depression has not been previously reported. Further, there are no published reports of the effects of antidepressants on telomerase activity or on the relationship between telomerase activity and antidepressant response. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) telomerase activity was assessed in 20 medication-free depressed individuals and 18 controls. In total, 16 of the depressed individuals were then treated with sertraline in an open-label manner for 8 weeks, and PBMC telomerase activity was reassessed in 15 of these individuals after treatment. Pre- and post-treatment symptom severity was rated with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. All analyses were corrected for age and sex. Pre-treatment telomerase activity was significantly elevated in the depressed individuals compared with the controls (P=0.007) and was directly correlated with depression ratings (P<0.05) across all subjects. In the depressed group, individuals with relatively lower pre-treatment telomerase activity and with relatively greater increase in telomerase activity during treatment, showed superior antidepressant responses (P<0.05 and P<0.005, respectively). This is the first report characterizing telomerase activity in depressed individuals. PBMC telomerase activity might reflect a novel aspect of depressive pathophysiology and might represent a novel biomarker of antidepressant responsiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- OM Wolkowitz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - SH Mellon
- Department of OB-GYN and Reproductive Sciences, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - ES Epel
- Department of Psychiatry and Health Psychology Program, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - J Lin
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - VI Reus
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - R Rosser
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - H Burke
- Department of Psychiatry and Health Psychology Program, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - M Compagnone
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - JC Nelson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - FS Dhabhar
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - EH Blackburn
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Aschbacher K, Epel E, Wolkowitz OM, Prather AA, Puterman E, Dhabhar FS. Maintenance of a positive outlook during acute stress protects against pro-inflammatory reactivity and future depressive symptoms. Brain Behav Immun 2012; 26:346-52. [PMID: 22119400 PMCID: PMC4030538 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2011.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2011] [Revised: 10/18/2011] [Accepted: 10/28/2011] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Cognitive and affective responses to acute stress influence pro-inflammatory cytokine reactivity, and peripheral cytokines (particularly interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β)), can act on the brain to promote depressive symptoms. It is unknown whether acute stress-induced changes in positive affect and cognitions (POS) and pro-inflammatory reactivity predict future depressive symptoms. We examined acute stress responses among women, to determine prospective predictors of depressive symptoms. HYPOTHESES (1) Stress-induced decreases in POS will be associated with stress-related increases in circulating IL-1β. (2) Acute stress-induced decreases in POS and increases in IL-1β reactivity will predict increases in depressive symptoms 1 year later. Thirty-five post-menopausal women were exposed to acute stress with the Trier Social Stress Task (TSST) and provided blood samples under resting conditions and 30 min after the conclusion of the TSST, which were assayed for IL-1β. IL-1β reactivity was quantified as post minus pre-TSST. Failure to maintain POS was quantified as the decrease in POS during the TSST. Change in depressive symptoms from the study baseline to the following year was determined. Greater acute stress-induced declines in POS were significantly associated with increased IL-1β reactivity (p≤.02), which significantly predicted increases in depressive symptoms over the following year (p<.01), controlling for age, body mass index, chronic stress, antidepressant use and baseline depressive symptoms. IL-1β reactivity was a significant mediator of the relationship between POS decline and future increases in depressive symptoms (p=.04). Difficulty maintaining positivity under stress and heightened pro-inflammatory reactivity may be markers and/or mechanisms of risk for future increases in depressive symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Aschbacher
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, CA 94143-0848, USA.
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19
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O’Donovan A, Lin J, Dhabhar F, Wolkowitz O, Tillie J, Blackburn E, Epel E, Blackburn EH, Blackburn E, Epel ES, Epel E. Pessimism correlates with leukocyte telomere shortness and elevated interleukin-6 in post-menopausal women. Brain Behav Immun 2009; 23:446-9. [PMID: 19111922 PMCID: PMC2719778 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2008.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2008] [Revised: 11/12/2008] [Accepted: 11/26/2008] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The combination of less positive and more negative expectations for the future (i.e., lower optimism and higher pessimism) increases risk for disease and early mortality. We tested the possibility that expectancies might influence health outcomes by altering the rate of biological aging, specifically of the immune system (immunosenescence). However, no studies to date have examined associations between optimism or pessimism and indicators of immunosenescence such as leukocyte telomere length (TL) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels. We investigated whether dispositional tendencies towards optimism and pessimism were associated with TL and IL-6 in a sample of 36 healthy post-menopausal women. Multiple regression analyses where optimism and pessimism were entered simultaneously, and chronological age and caregiver status were controlled, indicated that pessimism was independently associated with shorter TL (beta=-.68, p=.001) and higher IL-6 concentrations (beta=.50, p=.02). In contrast, optimism was not independently associated with either measure of immunosenescence. These findings suggest that dispositional pessimism may increase IL-6 and accelerate rate of telomere shortening. Mechanistic causal relationships between these parameters need to be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. O’Donovan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health Research, University College Dublin, Ireland
| | - J. Lin
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - F.S. Dhabhar
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Stanford Immunology Program, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - O. Wolkowitz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - J.M. Tillie
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Stanford Immunology Program, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - E. Blackburn
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - E. Epel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA,Address correspondence to Elissa S. Epel, PhD, University of California San Francisco, 3333 California Street, Suite 465, San Francisco, CA 94143-0848, Phone #: 415-476-7648, Fax #: 415-476-7744, E-mail:
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20
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Abstract
Stress is commonly associated with a variety of psychiatric conditions, including major depression, and with chronic medical conditions, including diabetes and insulin resistance. Whether stress causes these conditions is uncertain, but plausible mechanisms exist by which such effects might occur. To the extent stress-induced hormonal alterations (e.g., chronically elevated cortisol levels and lowered dehydroepiandrosterone [DHEA] levels) contribute to psychiatric and medical disease states, manipulations that normalize these hormonal aberrations should prove therapeutic. In this review, we discuss mechanisms by which hormonal imbalance (discussed in the frameworks of "allostatic load" and "anabolic balance") might contribute to illness. We then review certain clinical manifestations of such hormonal imbalances and discuss pharmacological and behavioural treatment strategies aimed at normalizing hormonal output and lessening psychiatric and physical pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- O M Wolkowitz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, School of Medicine, San Francisco, USA.
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Adler NE, Epel ES, Castellazzo G, Ickovics JR. Relationship of subjective and objective social status with psychological and physiological functioning: preliminary data in healthy white women. Health Psychol 2001. [PMID: 11129362 DOI: 10.1037//0278-6133.19.6.586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 694] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
This preliminary study compared the associations between objective and subjective socioeconomic status (SES) with psychological and physical variables among 157 healthy White women, 59 of whom subsequently participated in a laboratory stress study. Compared with objective indicators, subjective social status was more consistently and strongly related to psychological functioning and health-related factors (self-rated health, heart rate, sleep latency, body fat distribution, and cortisol habituation to repeated stress). Most associations remained significant even after controlling for objective social status and negative affectivity. Results suggest that, in this sample with a moderately restricted range on SES and health, psychological perceptions of social status may be contributing to the SES-health gradient.
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Affiliation(s)
- N E Adler
- Health Psychology Program, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0844, USA.
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Abstract
To date, there are few known predictors of stress-induced eating. The purpose of this study was to identify whether physiological and psychological variables are related to eating after stress. Specifically, we hypothesized that high cortisol reactivity in response to stress may lead to eating after stress, given the relations between cortisol with both psychological stress and mechanisms affecting hunger. To test this, we exposed fifty-nine healthy pre-menopausal women to both a stress session and a control session on different days. High cortisol reactors consumed more calories on the stress day compared to low reactors, but ate similar amounts on the control day. In terms of taste preferences, high reactors ate significantly more sweet food across days. Increases in negative mood in response to the stressors were also significantly related to greater food consumption. These results suggest that psychophysiological response to stress may influence subsequent eating behavior. Over time, these alterations could impact both weight and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Epel
- UCSF Health Psychology Program, 3333 California St, Suite 465, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA.
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Adler NE, Epel ES, Castellazzo G, Ickovics JR. Relationship of subjective and objective social status with psychological and physiological functioning: preliminary data in healthy white women. Health Psychol 2000; 19:586-92. [PMID: 11129362 DOI: 10.1037/0278-6133.19.6.586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1876] [Impact Index Per Article: 78.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
This preliminary study compared the associations between objective and subjective socioeconomic status (SES) with psychological and physical variables among 157 healthy White women, 59 of whom subsequently participated in a laboratory stress study. Compared with objective indicators, subjective social status was more consistently and strongly related to psychological functioning and health-related factors (self-rated health, heart rate, sleep latency, body fat distribution, and cortisol habituation to repeated stress). Most associations remained significant even after controlling for objective social status and negative affectivity. Results suggest that, in this sample with a moderately restricted range on SES and health, psychological perceptions of social status may be contributing to the SES-health gradient.
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Affiliation(s)
- N E Adler
- Health Psychology Program, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0844, USA.
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Epel ES, McEwen B, Seeman T, Matthews K, Castellazzo G, Brownell KD, Bell J, Ickovics JR. Stress and body shape: stress-induced cortisol secretion is consistently greater among women with central fat. Psychosom Med 2000; 62:623-32. [PMID: 11020091 DOI: 10.1097/00006842-200009000-00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 267] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Excessive central fat puts one at greater risk of disease. In animal studies, stress-induced cortisol secretion has been shown to increase central fat. The objective of this study was to assess whether women with central fat distribution (as indicated by a high waist-to-hip ratio [WHR]), across a range of body mass indexes, display consistently heightened cortisol reactivity to repeated laboratory stressors. METHODS Fifty-nine healthy premenopausal women, 30 with a high WHR and 29 with a low WHR, were exposed to consecutive laboratory sessions over 4 days (three stress sessions and one rest session). During these sessions, cortisol and psychological responses were assessed. RESULTS Women with a high WHR evaluated the laboratory challenges as more threatening, performed more poorly on them, and reported more chronic stress. These women secreted significantly more cortisol during the first stress session than women with a low WHR. Furthermore, lean women with a high WHR lacked habituation to stress in that they continued to secrete significantly more cortisol in response to now familiar challenges (days 2 and 3) than lean women with a low WHR. CONCLUSIONS Central fat distribution is related to greater psychological vulnerability to stress and cortisol reactivity. This may be especially true among lean women, who did not habituate to repeated stress. The current cross-sectional findings support the hypothesis that stress-induced cortisol secretion may contribute to central fat and demonstrate a link between psychological stress and risk for disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- E S Epel
- Health Psychology Program, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0848, USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Epel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0848, USA
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess body shape ideals across gender, sexual orientation, race, socio-economic status, and age, METHOD An analysis of personal advertisements was conducted across seven different publications which targeted the groups of interest. RESULTS Women advertised body weight much less often than men, and lesbians reported body shape descriptors significantly less often than heterosexual women. Gay men and African-American men described their body shape significantly more often than did other groups. However, their reported body mass indices (BMI) were significantly different-African-American men reported a higher BMI, and gay men a lower BMI, than Euro-American heterosexual men. DISCUSSION Race and sexual orientation may influence the importance of size of body shape ideals for men. For women, however, their advertised weights conformed to the thin ideal across all groups surveyed. Gender roles affecting body shape ideals and mate attraction are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- E S Epel
- Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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Abstract
This experiment compared the effectiveness of gain-versus loss-framed messages to persuade women to obtain mammography screening. One hundred and thirty-three women 40 years and older and not adhering to current guidelines for obtaining mammography screening were assigned randomly to view either gain-framed (emphasizing the benefits of obtaining mammography) or loss-framed (emphasizing the risks of not obtaining mammography) persuasive videos that were factually equivalent. Attitudes and beliefs were measured before and immediately following the intervention. Mammography utilization was assessed 6 and 12 months later. Consistent with predictions based on prospect theory, women who viewed the loss-framed message were more likely to have obtained a mammogram within 12 months of the intervention. These findings suggest that loss-framed messages may have an advantage in the promotion of detection behaviors such as mammography.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Banks
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 0650-8205, USA
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