High sensitivity C-reactive protein in response to acute stress in healthy men and women

Psychosocial stress has been suggested to contribute to low-grade inflammation, which in turn can, if persisting, increase the risk of developing a wide range of chronic disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the level of CRP in response to acute psychosocial stress in healthy men and women, whether the responses related to general stress activation. Since it is known that CRP level in general is associated with BMI, we also aimed to investigate whether CRP response during acute stress is related to BMI and overweight.

Thirty men and 19 women, aged 30-50 years (mean age 39 years, SD 5.6 years), were included in the study. The participants underwent the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), and CRP was measured in serum together with measurements of general stress activation.

CRP levels slightly and temporarily increased in response to acute psychosocial stress. CRP response was positively related to the response of ACTH and cortisol. The CRP response was also positively associated with BMI and the overweight individuals exhibited a larger stress-induced CRP increase.

The results support the idea that stress may contribute to low-grade inflammation, which in turn can constitute one important pathogenic link between stress and adverse health, especially in overweight individuals.