Correlation of Emotional Stress and Physical Exertions with Urinary Metabolite Profiles

Abstract

Changes in human metabolism caused by physical or mental stress were examined by monitoring the rate of excretion of metabolites via the urine. Gas liquid chromatography and mass spectra analysis of urine revealed differences in the rate of metabolite excretion between mental stressed and unstressed persons: Emotional stress causes an increase in the DHEA excretion for a factor up to twenty. Physical stress does not change the steroid pattern, but is manifested in respect to a much greater increase in excretion of citric acid and isocitric acid and decrease in excretion of amino acid conjugates in untrained persons as compared to trained athletes.

Looking back into the future: 30 years of metabolomics at TNO

“…As early as 1948, Williams and his associates identified important concepts of normality based on MS profiling of body fluids, and examined individual differences and pathologies in patients with alcoholism and schizophrenia. The correlation of emotional stress and physical exertions with urinary metabolite profiles were already emphasized by Ludwig et al (1977). Gates and Sweeley (1978) performed a review of these early thoughts and experimental approaches.…”