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Published on: November 6, 2015
Transient responses of inflammatory cytokines in acute stress
Kaori Yamakawa1, Masahiro Matsunaga, Tokiko Isowa
1Department of Psychology, Nagoya University, Chikusa-ku, Aichi, Japan. yamakawa.kaori@g.mbox.nagoya-u.ac.jp
Abstract:
It has been demonstrated that concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are elevated by acute stress. Although several studies confirmed robust changes in IL-6, how acute stress affects other cytokines was less clear. Therefore, the present study simultaneously examined the effects of acute stress on several pro-inflammatory cytokines. Sixteen male participants were given the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). Blood samples were collected at baseline, immediately after, and 30, 60, and 90min after the TSST. IL-1beta significantly increased immediately after the TSST and returned to the baseline level after 30min. Additionally, this elevation of IL-1beta was correlated with the perceived intensity of stress. These results showed that the concentration of IL-1beta is rapidly regulated, and that elevation of the IL-1beta level could possibly be attributed to transient mobilization of monocytes caused by sympathetic nervous activation. Moreover, a transient increase of IL-1beta might be conveyed to the brain and play a role in forming negative emotional states.
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