S.15.03 Neuroendocrine function and sub-clinical atherosclerosis in healthy adults

Salivary Biomarkers of Chronic Psychosocial Stress and CVD Risks

“…The cardiovascular system is significantly affected by neuroendocrine responses to psychosocial stress (Aronson, 2005;Boyne et al, 2009;DeSantis et al, 2012;Hamer, O'Donnell, Steptoe, & Lahiri, 2009;Juster et al, 2011;Kunz-Ebrecht, Kirschbaum, & Steptoe, 2004;Nater et al, 2006;Seldenrijk, Hamer, Lahiri, Penninx, & Steptoe, 2012;Selye, 1974;Steptoe, Owen, Kunz-Ebrecht, & Brydon, 2004;Steptoe, Siegrist, Kirschbaum, & Marmot, 2004;Steptoe, Wardle, & Marmot, 2005;van Stegeren, Rohleder, Everaerd, & Wolf, 2006). This connection helps to explain the impact of chronic psychosocial stress on the development and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD;Cohen et al, 2006;Dekker et al, 2008;Hamer et al, 2009). Research has consistently linked job strain, for instance, an example of chronic psychosocial stress that occurs when a workplace is characterized by high demands (e.g., high output requirements and multiple responsibilities) and low decision latitude or control, with enhanced CVD risks (Cohen et al, 2006).…”

“…Biomarkers serve to explain how psychosocial stress produces a cascade of psychoneuroendocrine responses (Chatterton, Vogelsong, Lu, Ellman, & Hudgens, 1996;Janket et al, 2010;Nater et al, 2006;Selye, 1974;van Stegeren et al, 2006) and, in turn, how these stress responses affect atherosclerosis, a pathological precursor of CVD (Dekker et al, 2008;DeSantis et al, 2011DeSantis et al, , 2012Do et al, 2011;Eller, Netterstrom, & Allerup, 2005;Hajat et al, 2010;Hamer et al, 2009). A biomarker is defined as ''a characteristic that is objectively measured and evaluated as an indicator of normal biological processes, pathogenic processes, or pharmacologic responses to a therapeutic intervention'' (National Institute of Health Biomarker Definition Working Group, 2001, p. 91).…”

“…Biomarkers have been used to demonstrate biological responses to laboratory-induced stressors (acute stress) and, as mentioned above, to examine the effects of psychosocial stressors (chronic stress) on risk factors for CVD (Balodis, Wynne-Edwards, & Olmstead, 2010;DeCaro, 2008;Foley et al, 2012;Grant, Hamer, & Steptoe, 2009;Janket et al, 2010;Kumari, Shipley, Stafford, & Kivimaki, 2011;Meyburgh, Malan, Van Rooyen, & Potgieter, 2012;Steptoe, Owen, et al, 2004;Steptoe, Siegrist, et al, 2004;Steptoe, Wardle, et al, 2005;Terzolo et al, 2005;Xiang, Denver, Bailey, & Krum, 2003). Although complexities exist in the quantification (e.g., measurement) of psychosocial stress (a perceptual phenomenon), various biomarkers have contributed to the discovery of mechanisms by which psychosocial and/or environmental stress plays a role in the development of CVD (Grant et al, 2009;Hajat et al, 2010;Hamer, Endrighi, Venuraju, Lahiri, & Steptoe, 2012;Hamer, O'Donnell, Lahiri, & Steptoe, 2010;Hamer et al, 2009;Janket et al, 2006Janket et al, , 2010Jarup et al, 2005;Naidoo, Konkol, Biccard, Dudose, & McKune, 2012;Ryff et al, 2006;SahebJamee, Eslami, AtarbashiMoghadam, & Sarafnejad, 2008;Schoorlemmer, Peeters, van Schoor, & Lips, 2009;Schwarz & Dunphy, 2003;Selander et al, 2009;Selye, 1974;Steptoe, Brydon, & Kunz-Ebrecht, 2005;Steptoe et al, 2003).…”