Novel biochemical markers of psychosocial stress in women.
BACKGROUND
Prolonged psychosocial stress is a condition assessed through self-reports. Here we aimed to identify biochemical markers for screening and early intervention in women.


METHODS
Plasma concentrations of interleukin (IL) 1-alpha, IL1-beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, interferon-gamma (INF-gamma), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), epidermal growth factor (EGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), total tri-iodothyronine (TT3), total thyroxine (TT4), prolactin, and testosterone were measured in: 195 women on long-term sick-leave for a stress-related affective disorder, 45 women at risk for professional burnout, and 84 healthy women.


RESULTS
We found significantly increased levels of MCP-1, VEGF and EGF in women exposed to prolonged psychosocial stress. Statistical analysis indicates that they independently associate with a significant risk for being classified as ill.


CONCLUSIONS
MCP-1, EGF, and VEGF are potential markers for screening and early intervention in women under prolonged psychosocial stress.
Asberg
Marie
M
Department of Clinical Sciences, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Nygren
Ake
A
Leopardi
Rosario
R
Rylander
Gunnar
G
Peterson
Ulla
U
Wilczek
Lukas
L
Källmén
Håkan
H
Ekstedt
Mirjam
M
Akerstedt
Torbjörn
T
Lekander
Mats
M
Ekman
Rolf
R
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000097:blood; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012372:ROC Curve; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000523:psychology*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*
D015415:Biomarkers; D018932:Chemokine CCL2; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor