title: Association of the Period3 clock gene length polymorphism with salivary cortisol secretion among police officers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated whether measures of waking or diurnal cortisol secretion, or self-reported psychological disturbances differed among police officers with a Period3 (PER3) clock gene length polymorphism.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cortisol awakening response was characterized via the area under the salivary cortisol curve with respect to the increase (AUCI) or total waking cortisol (AUCG). Diurnal cortisol measures included the slope of diurnal cortisol and the diurnal AUCG. Psychological disturbances were characterized using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, Impact of Events Scale, and Life Events Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Officers with a 4/5 or 5/5 genotype had higher awakening AUCG and greater diurnal cortisol AUCG levels compared to officers with the 4/4 genotype. Among those working more afternoon or night shifts, waking AUCI and AUCG were greater among officers with a 4/5 or 5/5 genotype compared to the 4/4 referents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cortisol secretion was modified among police officers with different PER3 VNTR clock gene variants.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Prevention and Control Program, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA. wirthm@mailbox.sc.edu
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wirth
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Burch
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Violanti
authors.forename: Cecil
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Burchfiel
authors.forename: Desta
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fekedulegn
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Andrew
authors.forename: Hongmei
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Diane B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Shawn D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Youngstedt
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Hébert
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Vena
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D056950:Period Circadian Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D016495:Police; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000378:metabolism; D020178:Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C512644:PER3 protein, human; D056950:Period Circadian Proteins; D006854:Hydrocortisone