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Nocella C, D’Amico A, Cangemi R, Fossati C, Pigozzi F, Mannacio E, Cammisotto V, Bartimoccia S, Castellani V, Sarto G, Simeone B, Rocco E, Frati G, Sciarretta S, Pignatelli P, Carnevale R. NOX2 as a Biomarker of Academic Performance: Evidence from University Students during Examination. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:551. [PMID: 38790656 PMCID: PMC11118804 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13050551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cortisol levels, oxidative stress, and lower cerebral performance seem to be closely related. This study aimed to evaluate the question of whether exam stress affected oxidative stress and endothelial function parameters in the salivary samples of students. METHODS A total of 114 healthy students were recruited. All students were subjected to a 21-item DASS questionnaire to assess perceived stress. Cortisol levels, biomarkers of oxidative stress, and endothelial function were evaluated at T0, during the semester, and T1, in the morning before the exam, in saliva samples. In vitro, HUVECs were stimulated with cortisol, and oxidative stress and endothelial function parameters were evaluated. RESULTS At T1, cortisol levels were significantly increased compared with the levels during the semester. Moreover, exam results correlated inversely with the DASS score at T1. In addition, NOX2, H2O2 and endothelin-1 significantly increased, while NO bioavailability decreased. In vitro, HUVECs treatment with human cortisol determined the increase of oxidative stress and the decrease of endothelial function, in association with impaired eNOS phosphorylation. CONCLUSION NOX2-mediated oxidative stress is a mechanism that could mediate cortisol-induced transient endothelial dysfunction during academic examination. Therefore, strategies to monitor or modulate oxidative stress could help students to reduce the impact of examination-related stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Nocella
- Department of Clinical Internal, Anesthesiology and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (V.C.); (P.P.)
| | - Alessandra D’Amico
- Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 04100 Latina, Italy; (A.D.); (S.B.); (G.F.); (S.S.)
| | - Roberto Cangemi
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Chiara Fossati
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00135 Rome, Italy; (C.F.); (F.P.); (E.M.)
| | - Fabio Pigozzi
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00135 Rome, Italy; (C.F.); (F.P.); (E.M.)
| | - Elena Mannacio
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00135 Rome, Italy; (C.F.); (F.P.); (E.M.)
| | - Vittoria Cammisotto
- Department of Clinical Internal, Anesthesiology and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (V.C.); (P.P.)
| | - Simona Bartimoccia
- Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 04100 Latina, Italy; (A.D.); (S.B.); (G.F.); (S.S.)
| | - Valentina Castellani
- Department of General and Specialistic Surgery “Paride Stefanini”, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Gianmarco Sarto
- Cardiology Division, ICOT, University Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, 04100 Latina, Italy; (G.S.); (B.S.); (E.R.)
| | - Beatrice Simeone
- Cardiology Division, ICOT, University Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, 04100 Latina, Italy; (G.S.); (B.S.); (E.R.)
| | - Erica Rocco
- Cardiology Division, ICOT, University Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, 04100 Latina, Italy; (G.S.); (B.S.); (E.R.)
| | - Giacomo Frati
- Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 04100 Latina, Italy; (A.D.); (S.B.); (G.F.); (S.S.)
- IRCCS Neuromed, Località Camerelle, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Sciarretta
- Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 04100 Latina, Italy; (A.D.); (S.B.); (G.F.); (S.S.)
- IRCCS Neuromed, Località Camerelle, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Pasquale Pignatelli
- Department of Clinical Internal, Anesthesiology and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (V.C.); (P.P.)
| | - Roberto Carnevale
- Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 04100 Latina, Italy; (A.D.); (S.B.); (G.F.); (S.S.)
- IRCCS Neuromed, Località Camerelle, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
| | - SMiLe Group
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Course E, Sapienza University of Rome, 04100 Latina, Italy;
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Salivary Morning Cortisol as a Potential Predictor for High Academic Stress Level in Dental Students: A Preliminary Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19053132. [PMID: 35270824 PMCID: PMC8910478 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19053132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Students experience different levels of acute and chronic stress during the academic year. Selected salivary biochemical parameters change as a result of stress. Our preliminary study aimed to indicate possible links between alterations in the salivary biochemical parameters (such as cortisol and total antioxidant status) and different accompanying stress levels in dental students during the academic year. The study group consisted of 20 volunteer dental students at the Poznan University of Medical Sciences—both genders, aged 20–26 years. Students were asked to fill in the electronic version of the author’s survey on experiencing and coping with stress. Samples of unstimulated saliva were collected in the morning and late evening at four-time points: in the middle of the academic year, during the examination period, at the beginning of the academic year, and in the middle of the following academic year, together with a determination of currently experienced stress on the Stress Numerical Rating Scale-11. According to the circadian rhythm of cortisol secretion, morning levels of the hormone in saliva were much higher than in the evening. In evening cortisol, significant differences were observed during the studied periods—the highest level was found at the beginning of the academic year. However, the morning cortisol concentrations correlated more strongly with the declared stress levels and showed better predictability for high-stress levels. Salivary morning cortisol could be a potential marker of academic stress levels. Further studies are needed on a larger group to confirm.
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Changes in Markers of Oxidative Stress and α-Amylase in Saliva of Children Associated with a Tennis Competition. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17176269. [PMID: 32872210 PMCID: PMC7503412 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17176269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this paper was to analyze the changes caused by a one-day tennis tournament in biomarkers of oxidative stress and α-amylase in saliva in children. The sample was 20 male active children with the following characteristics: (a) age of players = 9.46 ± 0.66 years; (b) weight = 34.8 ± 6.5 kg; (c) height = 136.0 ± 7.9 cm; (d) mean weekly training tennis = 2.9 ± 1.0 h. The tennis competition ran for one day, with four matches for each player. Data were taken from the average duration per match and the rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Four biomarkers of antioxidant status: uric acid (AU), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), ferric reducing ability of saliva (FRAS, cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) and salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) as a biomarker of psychological stress were measured in saliva. The time points were baseline (at home before the tournament), pre-competition (immediately before the first match) and post-match (after each match) measurements. The four biomarkers of antioxidant status showed a similar dynamic with lower values at baseline and a progressive increase during the four matches. Overall one-day tennis competition in children showed a tendency to increase antioxidant biomarkers in saliva. In addition, there was an increase in pre-competition sAA possibly associated with psychological stress. Further studies about the possible physiological implications of these findings should be performed in the future.
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