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Psychoneuroendocrinology Sep 2022Managing stress and having good quality sleep are inter-related factors that are essential for health, and both factors seem to be affected by physical activity.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Managing stress and having good quality sleep are inter-related factors that are essential for health, and both factors seem to be affected by physical activity. Although there is an established bidirectional relationship between stress and sleep, remarkably few studies have been designed to examine the effects of physical activity on cortisol, a key biomarker for stress, and sleep. Research is particularly scarce in older people despite both sleep and cortisol changing with age. This systematic literature review addresses this gap.
METHODS
A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. Original, peer-reviewed records of intervention studies such as randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs with relevant control groups were eligible for inclusion. The Participant, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome (PICO) characteristics were (1) adults or older adults (2) physical activity programmes of any duration, (3) controls receiving no intervention or controls included in a different programme, (4) cortisol measurement, and subjective or objective measures of sleep.
RESULTS
Ten original studies with low-to-moderate risk of bias were included. Findings from this review indicated with moderate- and low-certainty evidence, respectively, that physical activity was an effective strategy for lowering cortisol levels (SMD [95% CI] = -0.37 [-0.52, -0.21] p < .001) and improving sleep quality (SMD [95% CI] = -0.30 [-0.56, -0.04], p = .02). Caution is needed to generalize these findings to the general population, as included trials were predominantly participants with breast cancer, included few males and no older adults.
CONCLUSION
Cortisol regulation and sleep quality are intertwined, and physical activity programmes could improve both in several ways. Further, physical activity may benefit adults with long term conditions or current poor (mental) health states the most, although more research is needed to support this claim fully. Few intervention studies have examined the inter-relationship between cortisol and sleep outcomes in males or older adults, indicating fruitful enquiry for future research.
Topics: Aged; Breast Neoplasms; Exercise; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Male; Mental Health; Quality of Life; Sleep
PubMed: 35777076
DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105843 -
Psychoneuroendocrinology Feb 2022Dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis has been implicated in the development of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adulthood. Less work has... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
Dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis has been implicated in the development of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adulthood. Less work has focused on the role of the HPA axis in depression in adolescence and young adulthood globally. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of worldwide research investigating the relationship between cortisol, a measure of HPA axis activity, and MDD in adolescence and young adulthood.
METHOD
We searched MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Web of Science, Lilacs, African Journals Online, and Global Health for studies which examined the relationship between cortisol and MDD in global youth (10-24 years old).
RESULTS
Twenty-six studies were included in the systematic review and 14 were eligible for the meta-analysis, but only one study included young adults in their sample. Results from the meta-analysis demonstrated that elevated morning, but not evening, cortisol levels was prospectively associated with later MDD development in adolescence and young adulthood. However, morning cortisol levels did not significantly differ between healthy controls and individuals with MDD in cross-sectional studies. Afternoon cortisol and cortisol stress response also did not differ between adolescents with MDD and healthy controls. Qualitative synthesis of the three studies examining nocturnal cortisol showed higher nocturnal cortisol was both longitudinally and cross-sectionally associated with MDD in adolescence.
CONCLUSION
Our findings suggest elevated morning cortisol precedes depression in adolescence. Despite this, we did not find any differences in other cortisol measures in association with MDD in cross-sectional studies. Taken together, these findings suggest that elevated morning and nocturnal cortisol are risk factors for depression in adolescence rather than a biomarker of existing MDD. This supports a role for the hyperactivity of the HPA axis in the development of MDD in adolescence. Most of the studies were from high-income-countries (HICs) and thus further work would need to be conducted in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to understand if our findings are generalisable also to these populations.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression; Depressive Disorder, Major; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System; Pituitary-Adrenal System; Young Adult
PubMed: 34920399
DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105625 -
Psychoneuroendocrinology Mar 2022The gut microbiota is the set of microorganisms present in the gut, and it is connected to the central nervous system via the gut-brain axis. Despite there is not a... (Review)
Review
The gut microbiota is the set of microorganisms present in the gut, and it is connected to the central nervous system via the gut-brain axis. Despite there is not a definitive description of the eubiotic microbiota architecture, numerous studies have demonstrated its involvement in human behaviour and its relationship with several pathologies. This is a systematic review about the association between dysbiosis on the gut microbiota and the presence of neurological or neuropsychiatric diseases such as cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, ADHD, and depression. Furthermore, this study analyzes the potential benefits of psychobiotics supplementation for these pathologies. Searches were conducted in the electronic databases PubMed and PsycINFO. 17 articles were included in this review, the majority were published after 2019. The results showed that gut dysbiosis predicts the development of these pathologies and influences their pathogenesis. In addition, it was found that different psychobiotics, mainly dietary fibers and probiotics of the Lactobacillus family, improved different cognitive functions such as cognitive performance and induce a reduced cortisol response. Improvement in different cognitive functions is possible when understanding gut microbiota-brain axis, enteric nervous system, neural-immune system, neuroendocrine system, and central nervous system's relationship.
Topics: Brain; Dysbiosis; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Microbiota; Probiotics
PubMed: 34942539
DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105640 -
International Journal of Health Sciences 2021The basic objective of this systematic review was to identify potential biomarkers for chronic stress. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
The basic objective of this systematic review was to identify potential biomarkers for chronic stress.
METHODS
A systematic review of studies linking biomarkers in people with chronic stress was conducted using PRISMA guidelines. The last 40 years' studies were included in the systematic review with no age restrictions; animal studies were excluded from the study. Electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar were searched for the study purpose. The studies were searched using the combinations of search terms that comprised chronic stress together with the keywords hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis), autonomic nervous system (ANS), immune system, metabolic biomarkers, cortisol, hair cortisol, salivary cortisol, urinary cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF), metabolic biomarkers, antioxidants, glucose, hemoglobin, C-reactive protein (CRP), cytokines, pro-inflammatory cytokines, anti-inflammatory cytokines, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF).
RESULTS
A total of 37 studies out of 671 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in this review. Potential diagnostic biomarkers of chronic stress included cortisol, ACTH, BDNF, catecholamines, glucose, HbA1c, triglycerides, cholesterol, prolactin, oxytocin, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), CRP, and interleukin - 6 and 8. While the others including antioxidants and natural killer (NK) cells require further validation. Taken together, addition, these stress biomarkers have critical prognostic capacities for stress-associated diseases and therapeutic guidance.
CONCLUSION
This systematic review provides an update to the literature by highlighting the role of physiological biomarkers in chronic stress and describing their prognostic and therapeutic values.
PubMed: 34548863
DOI: No ID Found -
Pharmacological Research Jul 2023We evaluated the efficacy, safety, adherence, quality of life (QoL) and cost-effectiveness of long-acting growth hormone (LAGH) vs daily growth hormone (GH) preparations... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Efficacy, safety, quality of life, adherence and cost-effectiveness of long-acting growth hormone replacement therapy compared to daily growth hormone in children with growth hormone deficiency: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
We evaluated the efficacy, safety, adherence, quality of life (QoL) and cost-effectiveness of long-acting growth hormone (LAGH) vs daily growth hormone (GH) preparations in the treatment of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in children. Systematic searches were performed in PubMed, Embase and Web of Science up to July 2022 on randomized and non-randomized studies involving children with GHD receiving LAGH as compared to daily GH. Meta-analyses for efficacy and safety were performed comparing different LAGH/daily GH formulations. From the initial 1393 records, we included 16 studies for efficacy and safety, 8 studies for adherence and 2 studies for QoL. No studies reporting cost-effectiveness were found. Pooled mean differences of mean annualized height velocity (cm/year) showed no difference between LAGH and daily GH: Eutropin Plus® vs Eutropin® [- 0.14 (-0.43, 0.15)], Eutropin Plus® vs Genotropin® [- 0.74 (-1.83, 0.34)], Jintrolong® vs Jintropin AQ® [0.05 (-0.54, 0.65)], Somatrogon vs Genotropin® [- 1.40 (-2.91, 0.10)], TransCon vs Genotropin® [0.93 (0.26, 1.61)]. Also, other efficacy and safety outcomes, QoL and adherence were comparable for LAGH and daily GH. Our results showed that, although most of the included studies had some concerns for risk of bias, regarding efficacy and safety all the LAGH formulations were similar to daily GH. Future high quality studies are needed to confirm these data. Adherence and QoL should be addressed from real-world data studies for both the mid and long term and in a larger population. Cost-effectiveness studies are needed to measure the economic impact of LAGH from the healthcare payer's perspective.
Topics: Humans; Child; Human Growth Hormone; Growth Hormone; Quality of Life; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Dwarfism, Pituitary; Hormone Replacement Therapy
PubMed: 37236413
DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106805 -
The Lancet. Diabetes & Endocrinology Aug 2023Cyclic Cushing's syndrome is a subentity of Cushing's syndrome in which phases of biochemical hypercortisolism (peaks) are followed by spontaneous periods of... (Review)
Review
Cyclic Cushing's syndrome is a subentity of Cushing's syndrome in which phases of biochemical hypercortisolism (peaks) are followed by spontaneous periods of physiological or even hypocortisolaemic cortisol secretion (troughs). To identify common features of cyclic Cushing's syndrome, we systematically reviewed single case reports and case series in MEDLINE from database inception to Oct 10, 2022, and identified 707 articles, of which 149 articles were assessed for eligibility and 118 articles (covering 212 cases) were included in the analysis. Pituitary tumours accounted for 67% of cases of cyclic Cushing's syndrome (n=143), ectopic tumours for 17% (n=36), and adrenal tumours for 11% (n=23). Occult tumours accounted for 2% of cases (n=4), and 3% of cases were unclassified (n=6). We compared the clinical symptoms and comorbidities of patients with cyclic Cushing's syndrome with those of patients with non-cyclic Cushing's syndrome and observed no major difference. In adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-dependent cyclic Cushing's syndrome, bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling had a positive (ie, true pituitary) and negative (ie, true ectopic) predictive value of 100% when performed during periods of hypercortisolism, versus a positive predictive value of 73% and a negative predictive value of 86% when performed, irrespective of cortisolaemic status. Overall, 6% of patients (n=12) with cyclic Cushing's syndrome had unnecessary surgery due to misclassification. Remission rates were significantly lower and the time to remission significantly longer in patients with cyclic Cushing's syndrome compared with patients with non-cyclic Cushing's syndrome (p<0·001). Variations in biochemical test results due to unpredictable cycle duration and frequency might cause diagnostic challenges resulting in misdiagnoses and missed diagnoses.
Topics: Humans; Cushing Syndrome; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Petrosal Sinus Sampling; Pituitary Neoplasms; Predictive Value of Tests; Diagnosis, Differential
PubMed: 37429301
DOI: 10.1016/S2213-8587(23)00150-X -
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology... Mar 2020Signs and symptoms of Cushing's syndrome (CS) overlap with common diseases, such as the metabolic syndrome, obesity, osteoporosis, and depression. Therefore, it can take... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
CONTEXT
Signs and symptoms of Cushing's syndrome (CS) overlap with common diseases, such as the metabolic syndrome, obesity, osteoporosis, and depression. Therefore, it can take years to finally diagnose CS, although early diagnosis is important for prevention of complications.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess the time span between first symptoms and diagnosis of CS in different populations to identify factors associated with an early diagnosis.
DATA SOURCES
A systematic literature search via PubMed was performed to identify studies reporting on time to diagnosis in CS. In addition, unpublished data from patients of our tertiary care center and 4 other centers were included.
STUDY SELECTION
Clinical studies reporting on the time to diagnosis of CS were eligible. Corresponding authors were contacted to obtain additional information relevant to the research question.
DATA EXTRACTION
Data were extracted from the text of the retrieved articles and from additional information provided by authors contacted successfully. From initially 3326 screened studies 44 were included.
DATA SYNTHESIS
Mean time to diagnosis for patients with CS was 34 months (ectopic CS: 14 months; adrenal CS: 30 months; and pituitary CS: 38 months; P < .001). No difference was found for gender, age (<18 and ≥18 years), and year of diagnosis (before and after 2000). Patients with pituitary CS had a longer time to diagnosis in Germany than elsewhere.
CONCLUSIONS
Time to diagnosis differs for subtypes of CS but not for gender and age. Time to diagnosis remains to be long and requires to be improved.
Topics: Age Factors; Cushing Syndrome; Delayed Diagnosis; Early Diagnosis; Humans; Sex Factors; Time Factors
PubMed: 31665382
DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgz136 -
Panminerva Medica Mar 2023Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs) are a complex cluster of synthetic derivatives of testosterone. AAS abuse is considered a major public health issue since it has...
INTRODUCTION
Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs) are a complex cluster of synthetic derivatives of testosterone. AAS abuse is considered a major public health issue since it has increased among young/adolescent males. The use of steroids has a prevalence rate of 14% in young athletes and 30-75% in professional athletes or bodybuilders. AASs simulate the testosterone mechanism, binding the intracellular androgen receptor, and dysregulating the normal hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in the same way as exogenous testosterone. Abuse can produce several side effects on organs, such as the genital system. The physio-pathological mechanisms that cause AAS abuse-related, genital system disorders in humans are still not completely known.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
This study focuses on the effect of AASs on the male reproductive organs in humans and animals.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
A systematic review was performed using SCOPUS, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Sciences database up to 31 December 2021 using the keywords: "anabolic-androgenic steroids," "erectile dysfunction," "spermatogenesis" and "infertility;" (anabolic agents) "erectile dysfunction," "spermatogenesis" and "infertility." The review of the literature identified 66 articles published until 2021. Sixty-two articles were included. The use of AASs induces testicular atrophy and azoospermia known as "anabolic steroid-induced hypogonadism." Anabolic steroid induced infertility is characterized by oligo or azoospermia and abnormalities in sperm motility and morphology. Although sperm quality recovers in most cases within 4 months of stopping anabolic steroid abuse, the negative consequences on spermatogenesis can take up to 3 years to disappear. Human studies reported a positive correlation between AAS abuse in athletes and an increase in morphologically abnormal spermatozoa. Animal studies showed the destruction of Leydig cells and testicular atrophy in animals treated with cycles of AASs.
CONCLUSIONS
The present review of the literature highlights how little is known about the action of AASs on the male genital system. However, although their use is prohibited in many countries, the black market for these substances is still very frequent. The scientific landscape still has a lot to invest in the research of AAS on the male genital system to make young people even more aware of the negative aspects of these substances, contributing to the reduction of these products in an inappropriate way.
Topics: Male; Humans; Adolescent; Anabolic Androgenic Steroids; Erectile Dysfunction; Azoospermia; Semen; Sperm Motility; Testosterone Congeners; Testosterone; Anabolic Agents; Steroids
PubMed: 35146992
DOI: 10.23736/S0031-0808.22.04677-8 -
Journal of Investigative Medicine : the... Aug 2023The therapeutic response heterogeneity in acromegaly persists, despite the medical-surgical advances of recent years. Thus, personalized medicine implementation, which... (Review)
Review
The therapeutic response heterogeneity in acromegaly persists, despite the medical-surgical advances of recent years. Thus, personalized medicine implementation, which focuses on each patient, is justified. Metabolomics would decipher the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic response heterogeneity. Identification of altered metabolic pathways would open new horizons in the therapeutic management of acromegaly. This research aimed to evaluate the metabolomic profile in acromegaly and metabolomics' contributions to understanding disease pathogenesis. A systematic review was carried out by querying four electronic databases and evaluating patients with acromegaly through metabolomic techniques. In all, 21 studies containing 362 patients were eligible. Choline, the ubiquitous metabolite identified in growth hormone (GH)-secreting pituitary adenomas (Pas) by in vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), negatively correlated with somatostatin receptors type 2 expression and positively correlated with magnetic resonance imaging T2 signal and Ki-67 index. Moreover, elevated choline and choline/creatine ratio differentiated between sparsely and densely granulated GH-secreting PAs. MRS detected low hepatic lipid content in active acromegaly, which increased after disease control. The panel of metabolites of acromegaly deciphered by mass spectrometry (MS)-based techniques mainly included amino acids (especially branched-chain amino acids and taurine), glyceric acid, and lipids. The most altered pathways in acromegaly were the metabolism of glucose (particularly the downregulation of the pentose phosphate pathway), linoleic acid, sphingolipids, glycerophospholipids, arginine/proline, and taurine/hypotaurine. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization coupled with MS imaging confirmed the functional nature of GH-secreting PAs and accurately discriminated PAs from healthy pituitary tissue.
Topics: Humans; Acromegaly; Growth Hormone-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Metabolomics; Adenoma
PubMed: 37139720
DOI: 10.1177/10815589231169452 -
Pituitary May 2024This systematic review aims to examine the latest research findings and assess the impact of COVID-19 vaccination on the pituitary gland. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
This systematic review aims to examine the latest research findings and assess the impact of COVID-19 vaccination on the pituitary gland.
METHOD
PubMed and Tripdatabase were searched from January 1st, 2020 to February 12th, 2024. Case reports, case series and reviews related to post COVID-19 vaccination pituitary disease were included. Eligible articles were tabulated and analysed in the attempt to provide an overview on the epidemiology, clinical presentation, imaging, treatment, outcomes and pathophysiological background of post COVID-19 vaccination pituitary disease.
RESULTS
Among the 23 case reports included in this review, post COVID-19 vaccination hypophysitis was reported in 9 patients, pituitary apoplexy (PA) in 6 cases, SIADH in 5 cases and Isolated ACTH deficiency in 2 cases. Additionally, precipitating adrenal crisis was registered in 7 patients and pituitary tumor enlargement in 1 patient after receiving COVID-19 vaccination.
CONCLUSION
Despite the rarity of these events, our research findings suggest an association between COVID-19 vaccination and the subsequent development of pituitary diseases. The most common manifestations include hypophysitis with ADH deficiency, PA and SIADH, with symptoms typically emerging shortly after vaccine administration. Potential pathogenetic mechanisms include molecular mimicry, vaccine adjuvants and vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT), with the presence of ACE2 receptors in the hypothalamus-pituitary system contributing to the process. These findings can aid in diagnostic and treatment decisions for patients presenting with these syndromes. Nevertheless, given the rarity of these events, safety and efficacy of the currently available COVID-19 vaccines remain robust and we strongly advocate continuing pursuing vaccination efforts.
PubMed: 38761322
DOI: 10.1007/s11102-024-01402-2