Associations of Job Stress Indicators with Oxidative Biomarkers in Japanese Men and Women

Abstract

Some researchers have suggested that oxidative damage may be one of the mechanisms linking job stress with coronary heart disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between job stress indicators and oxidative biomarkers. The study included 567 subjects (272 men, 295 women) who answered questionnaires related to their work and underwent a medical examination. Job stress evaluated using the demands-control-support model was measured using the Job Content Questionnaire. Effort-reward imbalance was measured using the Effort-Reward Imbalance Questionnaire. Urinary hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were measured by the modified ferrous ion oxidation xylenol orange version-1 method and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. In men, the changes in the odds ratios for high urinary H2O2 associated with a 1-standard-deviation (SD) increase in worksite social support were 0.69 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.53, 0.91) univariately and 0.68 (95%CI 0.51, 0.90) after adjustment for covariates. The change in the odds ratio for high urinary H2O2 associated with a 1-SD increase in effort-reward ratio was 1.35 (95% CI 1.03, 1.78) after adjustment for covariates. In women, there were no significant associations of the two job stress indicators with urinary H2O2 and 8-OHdG levels after adjustment for covariates (p > 0.05).

Work Stress and Altered Biomarkers: A Synthesis of Findings Based on the Effort–Reward Imbalance Model

“…For instance, it was proposed that oxidative stress plays a key role in this cascade of altered physiological processes, and that mitochondrial functioning deserves special attention [ 117 , 118 ]. While current evidence on a mediating role of oxidative stress in linking work stress with stress-related disorders such as coronary heart disease is still scarce and controversial [ 118 , 119 ], intensified interdisciplinary research along these lines is welcome.…”

The Vagus Nerve Can Predict and Possibly Modulate Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases: Introducing a Neuroimmunological Paradigm to Public Health

“…Air pollution is also a risk factor for dementia [ 15 ], of increasing relevance due to the global aging population. Looking at psychological stress, job stress is also associated with higher oxidative stress (hydrogen peroxide; [ 16 ]). Job stress may increase in the next decades due to more globalization, competition and rapidly changing job schemas and uncertain job security.…”

Disturbed Redox Homeostasis in Oxidative Distress

“…8 In addition, a relationship of enhanced activity in the autonomic nervous system with markers of oxidative stress in blood or vascular tissue or with a concomitant increase of nuclear factor κB and proinflammatory activity was documented. 3 Oxidative biomarkers, such as urinary 8-hydroxy-2ʹdeoxyguanosine and H 2 O 2 , showed associations in human job stress settings, 15 as well as anticipatory cortisol reactivity. 9 As shown in a rat model of psychosocial stress, there is an early elevation of NADPH oxidase-2-derived oxidative stress in the hypothalamus.…”