title: Development of abdominal fat and incipient metabolic syndrome in young healthy men exposed to long-term stress.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The sympathetic nervous system may be involved in the pathophysiology of insulin resistance and metabolic cardiovascular syndrome in young men. The aim was to study the effects of long-term stress on different features of the metabolic syndrome (MES) in formerly non-obese healthy young males during 5 months of defined conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen healthy male sailors (mean age 36.5 (SD)+/-7 years) participating in a sailing race around the world were recruited for the study. Investigations were done before the start and at stop overs after finishing laps 1, 2 and 4 (1, 2(1/2) and 5 months, respectively). Anthropometric and blood pressure data as well as biochemical data associated with MES were substantiated. Food intake and exercise were chartered and largely controlled. A mean weight loss of 4.5+/-2 kg (P<0.005), comprising both fat and lean body mass, was recorded during the first lap. Subsequently after 5 months, a weight gain, mainly consisting of 1.2+/-1.1 kg body fat (P<0.05), took place, concomitantly with a protein mass drop of 0.6+/-1.1 kg (P<0.05). The body fat gain accumulated on the abdominal region. Elevated blood levels of HbA1c, insulin and the triglycerides/high-density lipoprotein ratio were also observed during the race. Likewise heart rate and systolic blood pressure increased slightly but to a statistically significant extent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Non-obese healthy young men exposed to long-term stress developed abdominal obesity and signs of a metabolic syndrome in embryo, also emphasized by biochemical and blood pressure alterations. It is suggested that long-term and sustained stress activation might be an additional risk factor for the development of MES, even after control of dietary and exercise habits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Nutrition, University of Uppsala, University Hospital of Uppsala, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden. stefan.branth@medsci.uu.se <stefan.branth@medsci.uu.se>
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Branth
authors.forename: Gunnar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ronquist
authors.forename: Mats
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stridsberg
authors.forename: Leif
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hambraeus
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kindgren
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Olsson
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carlander
authors.forename: Bengt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Arnetz
mesh_terms: D050153:Abdominal Fat / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001835:Body Weight; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002149:Energy Intake; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D010807:Physical Endurance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012767:Ships; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human