17-OHCS Levels in Combat

Eight survival strategies in traumatic stress.

“…Associated elevated endogenous opioids may facilitate motivational behavior and suppress pain (Smith, 1991). A decrease in 17-hydroxycortico-steroids and cortisol levels occurs as in flight and fight (Bourne, Rose, & Mason, 1968; Hoch, Werle, & Weicker, 1988). Though hunting and combat are associated with maleness, unlike in competition, they are not associated with elevated male hormones (Worthman & Konner, 1987).…”

Chronic psychological stress and the regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines: A glucocorticoid-resistance model.

“…It is interesting to note that this pattern of blunted secretion emerged in an early study with parents of cancer patients (Friedman, Mason, & Hamburg, 1963), which found that cortisol levels were remarkably stable across time, even during periods when a child's medical status had deteriorated significantly. Blunted cortisol secretion also has been described in patients who suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (Yehuda, 1998(Yehuda, , 2000Yehuda et al, 1996), teachers with workrelated burnout (Pruessner et al, 1999), women with conflicting role demands (Adam & Gunnar, 2001), breast cancer patients who experience accelerated mortality (Sephton, Sapolsky, Kraemer, & Spiegel, 2000), and soldiers in the midst of combat (Bourne, Rose, & Mason, 1967, 1968. Given that the average parent in our study had been dealing with cancer for more than 9 months at the time he or she participated, it is conceivable that declines in IL-6 glucocorticoid sensitivity arose from exposure to high concentrations of cortisol in the months shortly after diagnosis.…”

A Window on the Study of Aversive Instrumental Learning: Strains, Performance, Neuroendocrine, and Immunologic Systems

“…In humans, Bourne et al (1968) suggested an association between active coping and decreased adrenal activity, based on data obtained from soldiers who lived in Vietnam camps, had been warned to expect an enemy attack and had to prepare for the event; interestingly, the cortisol metabolite levels decreased with time.…”