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Related Experiment Videos

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function in elderly endurance athletes.

I J Heuser1, H J Wark, J Keul

  • 1Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Clinical Institute, Munich, Germany.

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|September 1, 1991
PubMed
Summary

Repeated high cortisol levels, like those from stress, alter the body's stress hormone regulation. Endurance athletes showed heightened cortisol responses, similar to depressed patients, indicating past stress impacts the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.

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Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Stress Physiology

Background:

  • The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulates the body's response to stress.
  • Repeated exposure to stress can lead to sustained high cortisol levels (hypercortisolemia).
  • The long-term effects of hypercortisolemia on HPA axis regulation are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of repeated hypercortisolemia on HPA axis regulation.
  • To compare HPA axis responses in elderly endurance athletes and sedentary controls.
  • To explore potential mechanisms underlying observed HPA axis alterations.

Main Methods:

  • Plasma ACTH and cortisol (CORT) responses to human CRH (hCRH) were measured.
  • Participants included elderly endurance athletes and age-matched sedentary controls.

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  • A dexamethasone suppression test was employed prior to hCRH challenge.

    • Main Results:

    • Basal ACTH and CORT levels did not differ between groups.
    • Endurance athletes exhibited significantly increased CORT responses to hCRH.
    • ACTH responses to hCRH tended to be higher in athletes, similar to previously studied depressed patients.

    Conclusions:

    • Previous stressful events associated with hypercortisolemia influence HPA axis physiology.
    • Alterations may involve decreased sensitivity to negative feedback or enhanced ACTH secretagogue co-secretion.
    • HPA axis regulation appears adaptable based on prior stressful experiences, irrespective of cause.