Plasma vanillylmandelic acid level as an index of psychological stress response in normal subjects.
The relationships between psychological stress responses and plasma levels of vanillylmandelic acid (VMA), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), homovanillic acid (HVA), and 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-HIAA) were investigated in normal volunteers. Two questionnaires were used to measure stress: the Psychological Stress Response Scale (PSRS) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Plasma levels of VMA--but not MHPG, HVA, and 5-HIAA--showed significant positive correlations with PSRS emotional and cognitive-behavioral stress and STAI state anxiety. Significant positive correlations were also found between plasma levels of VMA and MHPG and psychological stress responses measured repeatedly in a longitudinal study of an Olympic swimmer. Plasma VMA measurements, which reflect the level of activity of the peripheral sympathetic nervous system, may provide a useful biochemical index of psychological stress responses in normal subjects.
Fukuda
M
M
Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Japan.
Hata
A
A
Niwa
S
S
Hiramatsu
K
K
Honda
H
H
Nakagome
K
K
Iwanami
A
A
D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology*; D003163:Competitive Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D014642:Vanilmandelic Acid / Q000097:blood*
D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D014642:Vanilmandelic Acid; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D006719:Homovanillic Acid