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Changes in blood pressure, body weight and urinary catecholamines during austerities
Summary
This study found that urinary noradrenaline (NOR) increased in monks during winter austerities, unlike adrenaline (ADR). This suggests NOR is a better stress indicator in austere conditions, potentially helping maintain blood pressure despite weight loss.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Physiology
- Buddhist Studies
Background:
- Monks in Japan undergo severe winter austerities.
- Stressors include cold, sleep deprivation, hunger, and emotional impact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess endocrinological and physiological changes in monks during austerities.
- To identify key stressors and their physiological markers.
Main Methods:
- Monitored 20 newcomer monks over four weeks.
- Measured urinary noradrenaline (NOR) and adrenaline (ADR) concentrations.
- Recorded blood pressure (BP).
Main Results:
- Urinary NOR significantly increased; ADR did not.
- Increased NOR correlated with stressors like cold and hunger.
- BP remained stable despite rising NOR.
Conclusions:
- Urinary NOR is a more sensitive stress indicator than ADR in austere environments.
- Elevated NOR may help maintain blood pressure against hypotensive factors like weight loss.