Response of the Hypothalamic—Pituitary—Adrenal System to Repeated Moderate Psychoemotional Stress Exposure Is Associated with Behavioral Parameters

Abstract

Individual features of the response of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) to repeated moderate stress exposure (daily 2-h restraint stress for 10 days) was studied in young female rhesus monkeys with healthy normal behavior and combined group of female rhesus monkeys with abnormal depression-like and anxious behavior. No between-group differences in the response of ACTH and cortisol were found on day 1. On day 10, a rapid and less pronounced increase in ACTH secretion was observed in all animals in comparison with day 1. Analysis of between-group differences in HPAA response showed higher increase in ACTH level and lower increase in cortisol concentration in animals with depression-like and anxious behavior. These changes were similar to the previously described differences in the response of the adenohypophysis and adrenal cortex to acute restraint stress in old monkeys with similar behavior. Thus, individuals with depression-like and anxious behavior demonstrate impaired stress-induced reactivity of HPAA as early as in young age.

The HPA Axis under Stress and Aging: Individual Vulnerability is Associated with Behavioral Patterns and Exposure Time

“…[ 56,57 ] There is particularly considerable data on the relationship of behavior to HPA axis function. [ 3,7,9,12,16–19 ]…”

“…However, there are few studies of age‐related changes in the stress reactivity of the HPA axis in individuals that differ in adaptive behavior and that take into account the circadian rhythm of HPA axis reactivity. [ 9,18,19,21,22,40 ] In this regard, systematic studies performed using non‐human primates (female rhesus monkeys), showing, along with the usual standard behavior (SB, normal, control behavior), anxiety and depression‐like behavior (DAB) under mild to moderate stress are of considerable interest. [ 9,19,21,22,57,58 ] The presence of different behavioral responses of individuals of this species of primate under conditions of mild stress has been noted by various authors, both in individuals living in the wild, [ 15 ] and individuals placed individually in the room.…”

“…[ 9,18,19,21,22,40 ] In this regard, systematic studies performed using non‐human primates (female rhesus monkeys), showing, along with the usual standard behavior (SB, normal, control behavior), anxiety and depression‐like behavior (DAB) under mild to moderate stress are of considerable interest. [ 9,19,21,22,57,58 ] The presence of different behavioral responses of individuals of this species of primate under conditions of mild stress has been noted by various authors, both in individuals living in the wild, [ 15 ] and individuals placed individually in the room. [ 13,17,59 ] Studies along these lines have shown that young adult female rhesus monkeys with DAB or SB show no intergroup differences in response of the HPA axis to the ASE (restraint for 2 h begun at 15 h) ( Figure 3 ).…”

“…[ 2,9,17,18 ] Part of such research, however, has focused on stress in early life and did not address changes associated with aging. [ 12,13,19 ]…”

Pathophysiological aspects of neuro-endocrine regulation system in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

“…Изменения гипофизарно-гонадной и надпочечниковой систем нейроэндокринной регуляции у пациентов с тяжелой степенью СОАС в виде увеличения концентрации пролактина с одновременным снижением концентрации ЛГ и тестостерона, а также увеличение уровня кортизола свидетельствуют о большем напряжении со стороны пролактинергической и надпочечниковой систем и об истощении гонадотропной функции гипофиза. Следует добавить, что кортизол одним из первых включается в реализацию ответной реакции на действие стрессфакторов, среди которых ведущее место у пациентов с СОАС занимает ночная гипоксия [24]. Высокая концентрация пролактина вполне согласуется с тенденцией к снижению тестостерона, что наблюдается в обследуемой возрастной группе (46-55 лет).…”