title: Affective and inflammatory responses among orchestra musicians in performance situation.
abstract: A number of studies have shown that mental challenge under controlled experimental conditions is associated with elevations in inflammatory markers such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP). However, relatively little work has been done on the effects of 'naturalistic' stressors on acute changes in inflammatory markers. The present study examined whether perceived arousal, valence and dominance in musicians are associated with pro-inflammatory and oxidative responses to a concert situation. Blood and salivary samples obtained from 48 members of a symphony orchestra on the day of rehearsal (i.e., control situation) and on the following day of premiere concert (i.e., test situation) were used to determine changes in salivary cortisol, pro-inflammatory markers (plasma myeloperoxidase, serum CRP, plasma IL-6), oxidative stress markers (paraoxonase1 activity and malondialdehyde), and homocysteine, a risk factor for vascular disease. Results of regression analyses showed a significant trend to increased myeloperoxidase (MPO) response in individuals with low valence score. Both affective states, valence and arousal, were identified as significant predictors of cortisol response during concert. In addition, control levels of plasma malondialdehyde were positively correlated with differences in IL-6 levels between premiere and rehearsal (r=.38, p=.012), pointing to higher oxidative stress in individuals with pronounced IL-6 response. Our results indicate that stress of public performance leads to increased concentrations of plasma MPO (20%), IL-6 (27%) and salivary cortisol (44%) in musicians. The decreasing effect of pleasantness on the MPO response was highly pronounced in non-smokers (r=-.60, p<.001), suggesting a significant role of emotional valence in stress-induced secretion of MPO. Additional studies are needed to assess the generalizability of these findings to other 'naturalistic' stress situations.
authors: Institute of Occupational Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. Electronic address: alexander.pilger@meduniwien.ac.at.
authors: Alexander
authors: A
authors: Pilger
authors: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors: Helmuth
authors: H
authors: Haslacher
authors: Empirical Research, Vienna, Austria.
authors: Elisabeth
authors: E
authors: Ponocny-Seliger
authors: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Perkmann
authors: Austrian Broadcasting Corporation, Occupational Service, Vienna, Austria.
authors: Karl
authors: K
authors: Böhm
authors: Institute of Occupational Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors: Alexandra
authors: A
authors: Budinsky
authors: Institute of Occupational Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors: Angelika
authors: A
authors: Girard
authors: Institute of Occupational Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors: Katharina
authors: K
authors: Klien
authors: Institute of Occupational Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors: Galateja
authors: G
authors: Jordakieva
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors: Lukas
authors: L
authors: Pezawas
authors: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors: Oswald
authors: O
authors: Wagner
authors: Institute of Occupational Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors: Jasminka
authors: J
authors: Godnic-Cvar
authors: Health and Prevention Center, Sanatorium Hera, Vienna, Austria.
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Winker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009146:Music; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000097:blood; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C508600:IL6 protein, human; D015850:Interleukin-6; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D009195:Peroxidase; D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: Biomarkers; Emotions; Inflammation; Musicians; Myeloperoxidase; Oxidative stress; Psychological stress