Psychoneuroendocrinological and immunological parameters in cancer patients: Involvement of stress and depression

A pilot study on the effects of exercise on depression symptoms using levels of neurotransmitters and EEG as markers

“…Emotional state and physical activity have been shown to result in changes in sympathetic nervous system activation correlating with decreases in plasma catecholamines; additionally, regular exercise has also been correlated with inhibition of platelet aggregability that may be further correlated with alterations in 5HT levels in the blood. [34,35] Although this study was not able to replicate the degree of findings from previous studies examining catecholamine and 5HT levels, [20,21,[25][26][27][28] this study did show a reduction in serum levels of catecholamine and 5HT levels within the exercise group; however, these decreases were not significant. On preliminary review of the data in this study, given the improvements in group mean BDI scores and serum 5HT and NE levels in the exercise group compared to the control group, the present research suggests that adherence to an individualized exercise regimen is indeed correlated with improvement in symptoms of depression and further correlated with decreased levels of serum NE and 5HT when compared to a control group.…”

“…In correlation with non-depressed individuals, depressed individuals have been found to have raised plasma catecholamine levels, including norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine, high free-serotonin levels and low platelet-serotonin levels; [23][24][25][26] however, the findings regarding neurotransmitter changes during exercise have been inconsistent. [27] …”

Central Nervous System Circuitries Underlying Two Types of Peripheral Autonomic Nervous System Disorders~!2008-04-24~!2008-09-26~!2008-12-05~!

“…This neuroimmunological disorder depends on the ability by the raised levels of adrenaline to interfere with the natural killer (NK) cells cytotoxicity against the malignant cells. This phenomenon fits well with the successful therapeutical effects obtained in advanced cancer patients with neuropharmacological manipulations addressed to reduce plasma Ad levels [44,65,67,68,[165][166][167][168].…”

“…Finally, the above tests have been carried out during both relapsing and remission periods. The information derived from that research work has allowed us to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms which underlie most type of diseases: gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, endocrinological, neurological, psychiatric and others; and in addition, to be the first to demonstrate the neuroautonomic profiles which *Address correspondence to this author at the Departments of Neurophysiology, Neurochemistry, Neuropharmacology and Neuroimmunology, Instituto de Medicina Experimental, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela; E-mail: flechin@movistar.net.ve underlie psychosis [20][21][22][23], endogenous depression [4,24], hyperinsulinism [8, [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31], biliary dyskinesia [32][33][34], ulcerative colitis [35], infertility [26,36], duodenal ulcer and gastritis [37,38], irritable bowel syndrome [39][40][41][42][43], Crohn's diseases [44,45], pancreatitis [45][46][47][48], essential hypertension [6, 49,50], thrombocytopenic purpura [51], polycythemia vera [52], myasthenia gravis [53], reactive hypoglycemia [8], cardiovascular and pulmonary disorders [53]<...>…”

Sympathetic modulation of immunity: Relevance to disease

“…In contrast, acute psychological stress increased circulating NK cell numbers and/or NK cell activity [414][415][416], but this effect may be followed by reduction below baseline shortly after stress [416]. Interpersonal difficulties, depression, anxiety and chronic stress reduce the number and function of circulating NK cells [417][418][419][420][421][422][423]; effects associated with elevated cortisol levels [424]. Positive supportive relationships mitigate the stress-induced immunosuppression [418], such as chronic stress-induced reduction in NK cell number and functions in cancer patients [425].…”