title: Effects of acute stress, relaxation, and a neurogenic inflammatory stimulus on interleukin-6 in humans.
abstract: Effects of three experimental manipulations: mental stress, relaxation, and a nociceptive inflammatory stimulus, capsaicin, on levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) were examined. Fifty subjects were pre-trained in relaxation and then randomized to a stress (Stroop test), relaxation (tape), or control (video) manipulation. Subjects participated in an evening reactivity session including 20 min of stress, relaxation, or control followed by a capsaicin injection in the forearm. Cardiovascular variables and levels of IL-6 were measured before and after the manipulation, and at regular intervals up to 60 min post-capsaicin. Group assignment did not differentially affect change in IL-6 over time, either before or after capsaicin. Small but significant increases in IL-6 were seen at 60 min post-capsaicin. These findings suggest that an acute stress manipulation does not modulate IL-6 within this time frame. Although IL-6 did increase following a neurogenic inflammatory stimulus, it did so subsequent to the maximum flare, suggesting that flare mechanisms are independent of IL-6.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, E11 Seashore Hall, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. susan-lutgendorf@uiowa.edu
authors.forename: Susan K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Lutgendorf
authors.forename: Henrietta
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Logan
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Costanzo
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lubaroff
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000276:immunology*; D017453:Dermatitis, Irritant / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D007509:Irritants / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D012063:Relaxation / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015850:Interleukin-6; D007509:Irritants; D002211:Capsaicin