Chronic psycho-environmental stress can induce neurological dysfunction due to an increase in cortisol levels. It is possible that some food supplements could attenuate its negative impact, such as avocado oil (AO), which is rich in fatty acids with beneficial effects on the brain. This hypothesis was tested by an in vitro model using undifferentiated neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) exposed to hydrocortisone (HC), an active cortisol molecule with and without AO-supplementation. Cortisol can induce oxidative stress, apoptosis events, and a lowering effect on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a neurogenic molecule. As AO protective effects on HC-exposed cells could involve these routes, some markers of these routes were compared among neuroblastoma cultures. In the first assay, the range concentrations of HC exposure that trigger cell mortality and range AO-concentrations that could revert the HC effect. AO at all concentrations tested (2-30 µg/ml) did not present a cytotoxic effect on SH-SY5Y cells, whereas HC at 0.3-10 ng/ml had a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect on these cells. From these results, HC at 10 ng/ml and AO at 5 µg/ml were chosen for mechanistic analysis. AO was able to decrease the oxidative molecules; however, both AO-and HC-induced differential and varied gene expression modulation of these enzymes. AO partially reverted the protein and gene expression of apoptotic markers that were higher in HC-exposed cells. AO also increases the BDNF levels, which are lower HC-exposed cultures. The results indicate that AO could be a beneficial supplement in situations where cortisol levels are elevated, including chronic psycho-environmental stress. Practical applications Psychological chronic stress that induces high cortisol exposure has been linked to premature aging and decreased healthy life expectancy. Neurobiological models involving cortisol have suggested a neurotoxic effect of this molecule, increasing the risk of psychiatric and other CNTDs. This effect can have a high impact mainly in How to cite this article: Motta JR, Jung IEDC, Azzolin VF, et al. Avocado oil (Persea americana) protects SH-SY5Y cells against cytotoxicity triggered by cortisol by the modulation of BDNF, oxidative stress, and apoptosis molecules.
Background: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic first reached Brazil in late February 2020. Since then, it is one of the most affected countries globally. The rise of mental health problems in the population directly or indirectly affected is now a major concern. In the present study, we show the results of the first wave of the COVIDPsiq cohort study, which started early on (April 2020). The aim of this study was to investigate and compare independent predictors of symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Brazilians one month after social distancing measures were implemented. Methods: Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) were the two self-report instruments used to assess the symptoms. Variables related to demographics, social distancing, exposure to the news of coronavirus pandemic, substance use, and traumatic situations were also analyzed. Data was gathered through a web-based survey. Multivariate analyses were performed through hierarchical multiple linear regression models (HMLR). Result: A sample of 3,587 participants completed the questionnaire, among which approximately two-thirds considered that their mental health worsened after the beginning of the social restriction measures. Stress, anxiety, depression, and PTSD levels were highly correlated with this self-perception. The five most important predictors of psychological distress were the distress related to pandemic news, younger age, current psychiatric diagnosis, trouble sleeping, and emotional abuse or violence. Limitations: This is an internet survey-based study in which convenience sample bias may limit its external validity. It does not represent the northern regions of the country and most participants are white wealthier females. It was not possible to evaluate if symptoms are clinically relevant to infer an increased incidence of mental illness. Conclusions: These results confirm the hypothesis that a pandemic would have important impacts on the mental health of the population and indicate the level of distress related to the media as an important predictor of mental symptoms.
In view of the evolution of the pandemic by COVID-19 in Brazil, and the adoption of social restriction measures, an increase in cases of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorder and depression is expected. In epidemic situations, mental health services can become overloaded; however, the evolution of these disorders over time is not known. This study aims to monitor the evolution of PTSD symptoms, anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazilians, and to investigate sociodemographic risk factors related to psychiatric history and contagion, as well as maladaptive personality traits and posttraumatic growth. It will be a longitudinal study, conducted through online questionnaires, with a sample of non-probabilistic convenience. The inclusion criteria are: being brazilian born or living in Brazilian territory; be over 18 years old; have access to digital devices; and be literate. A sample of at least 2000 people is expected. The instruments applied are a research questionnaire, the Posttraumatic Checklist 5 (PCL-5), the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Personality Inventory for the DSM-5 – brief form (PID-5-BF), and the PostTraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). The study will be carried out in four stages: entry, one month, three months, and six months after the entry. The study relies on voluntary participation, with the agreement through the Free and Informed Consent Form. Data collection will be conducted in 2020, and the study will be completed in 2021. It will be financed with its own resources, and encouragement will be sought through research funding agencies.
In view of the evolution of the pandemic by COVID-19 in Brazil, and the adoption of social restriction measures, an increase in cases of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorder and depression is expected. In epidemic situations, mental health services can become overloaded; however, the evolution of these disorders over time is not known. This study aims to monitor the evolution of PTSD symptoms, anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazilians, and to investigate sociodemographic risk factors related to psychiatric history and contagion, as well as maladaptive personality traits and posttraumatic growth. It will be a longitudinal study, conducted through online questionnaires, with a sample of non-probabilistic convenience. The inclusion criteria are: being brazilian born or living in Brazilian territory; be over 18 years old; have access to digital devices; and be literate. A sample of at least 2000 people is expected. The instruments applied are a research questionnaire, the Posttraumatic Checklist 5 (PCL-5), the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Personality Inventory for the DSM-5 – brief form (PID-5-BF), and the PostTraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). The study will be carried out in four stages: entry, one month, three months, and six months after the entry. The study relies on voluntary participation, with the agreement through the Free and Informed Consent Form. Data collection will be conducted in 2020, and the study will be completed in 2021. It will be financed with its own resources, and encouragement will be sought through research funding agencies.
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