Hair Cortisol Concentrations Are Associated with Hair Growth Rate.

There is a growing interest in hair cortisol concentrations as a valuable biomarker for the assessment of metabolic diseases and chronic psychological stress. Fifty-three volunteers were recruited, and hair segments proximal to the scalp were collected from each individual. A cost-effective ball mill was used for the preparation of hair samples, and ELISA was performed to analyze cortisol concentrations.

A modified and cost-effective method for hair cortisol analysis.

Hair cortisol may hold potential as a biomarker for assessment of chronic psychological stress. We report a modified and cost-effective method to prepare hair samples for cortisol assay. Hair samples were ground using an inexpensive ball grinder - ULTRA-TURRAX tube drive.

Gene polymorphisms of stress hormone and cytokine receptors associate with immunomodulatory profile and psychological measurement.

Objective: We sought to identify whether stable single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of various endocrine and immune molecules could be used as biomarkers associated with specific immune alterations and chronic stress measures in normal humans.

Methods: A total of 207 volunteer participants answered stress questionnaire and gave peripheral blood cells for identification of SNPs in genes coding for glucocorticoid receptor (GR), beta 2 adrenergic receptor (B2AR), interferon-gamma receptors (IFNGR1, IFNGR2), and interleukin-4 receptor (IL4R). Immunoregulatory profiles were measured by flow cytometry and genotyping assays were performed by allelic discrimination real-time PCR.

Effects of strenuous exercise on Th1/Th2 gene expression from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells of marathon participants.

Physical stressors, such as strenuous exercise, can have numerous effects on the human body including the immune system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the gene expression profile of Th1/Th2 cytokines and related transcription factor genes in order to investigate possible immune imbalances before and after a marathon. Blood samples were collected from 16 normal volunteers 24-48 h before and one week after completing a marathon race.

Associations between cytokine receptor polymorphisms and variability in laboratory immune parameters in normal humans.

In every study involving human immune parameters, large inter-subject variability occurs which can make interpretation of results difficult. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether genetic variants in cytokine receptors could associate with variability in laboratory immune measures. A total of 207 normal volunteers were recruited in this study.

Immunomodulatory effects of dexamethasone on gene expression of cytokine and stress hormone receptors in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Glucocorticoid (GC) such as cortisol in humans is a major stress hormone and can influence immunomodulation through various mechanisms including impact on regulatory T-cell (RTC) elements and changes in Th1/Th2 cytokine balance. In this study, we sought to determine the immunomodulatory effects of GC equivalent dexamethasone (DEX) at various concentrations (10(-7), 10(-8), and 10(-9) M) on gene expression of RTC, cytokine receptors and stress hormone receptors from normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in an in vitro stress model in 24 h (acute stress) vs 11-day (chronic stress) cultures. Results revealed that the mRNA of forkhead box P3 (FoxP3) was significantly decreased at 24 h with 10(-7) and 10(-8) M DEX.

Prevalence and cardiometabolic associations of the glucocorticoid receptor gene polymorphisms N363S and BclI in obese and non-obese black and white Mississippians.

Objective: Polymorphisms (SNP) in the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene can alter sensitivity to glucocorticoids. Previous studies of the N363S and BclI SNP in the GR gene have shown a metabolic syndrome phenotype in mostly non-African populations. The obesity phenotype of African Americans (AA) seems to be more severe than that of Caucasians.

Variability in laboratory immune parameters is associated with stress hormone receptor polymorphisms.

Objectives: Interpretation of laboratory immune data in healthy human subjects is often challenging due to wide inter-subject variability. Since endocrine and immune mediators have been mutually interlinked, a potential explanation for the significant variability seen in immune data even when controlled for technical variability and demographics is differences in the binding affinity of ligand with hormone receptors on the surface of immune cells, which can be associated with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP).

Methods: We categorized immunoregulatory cellular profiles from PBMC of 207 healthy volunteers according to glucocorticoid receptor (GR: Bcl1, TthIIII, and A3669G) and β₂-adrenergic receptor (β2AR: Gly16Arg and Gln27Glu) polymorphisms.

Low gene expression of bone morphogenetic protein 7 in brainstem astrocytes in major depression.

The noradrenergic locus coeruleus (LC) is the principal source of brain norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter thought to play a major role in the pathology of major depressive disorder (MDD) and in the therapeutic action of many antidepressant drugs. The goal of this study was to identify potential mediators of brain noradrenergic dysfunction in MDD. Bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7), a member of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily, is a critical mediator of noradrenergic neuron differentiation during development and has neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects on mature catecholaminergic neurons.

Stress and allergic diseases.

Allergy describes a constellation of clinical diseases that affect up to 30% of the world's population. It is characterized by production of allergen-specific IgE, which binds to mast cells and initiates a cascade of molecular and cellular events that affect the respiratory tract (rhinitis and asthma), skin (dermatitis, urticaria), and multiple systems (anaphylaxis) in response to a variety of allergens including pollens, mold spores, animal danders, insect stings, foods, and drugs. The underlying pathophysiology involves immunoregulatory dysfunctions similar to those noted in highly stressed populations.

Immunomodulatory effects of in vitro stress hormones on FoxP3, Th1/Th2 cytokine and costimulatory molecule mRNA expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Background: Stress influences immune function through mechanisms including an impact on regulatory elements. We have previously demonstrated that glucocorticoids (GCs) and catecholamines can influence immunomodulation including changes in Th1/Th2 cytokine production. These immunoregulatory imbalances are associated with elevated cortisol in vivo and in the presence of GCs in vitro.

Dopamine receptor gene expression in human amygdaloid nuclei: elevated D4 receptor mRNA in major depression.

Previous findings from this laboratory demonstrating changes in dopamine (DA) transporter and D2 receptors in the amygdaloid complex of subjects with major depression indicate that disruption of dopamine neurotransmission to the amygdala may contribute to behavioral symptoms associated with depression. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR was used to investigate the regional distribution of gene expression of DA receptors in the human amygdala. In addition, relative levels of mRNA of DA receptors in the basal amygdaloid nucleus were measured postmortem in subjects with major depression and normal control subjects.