Stress regulates the lymphocyte homing receptor CD62L (L-selectin)

Hypermethylation of FOXP3 Promoter and Premature Aging of the Immune System in Female Patients with Panic Disorder?

Immunological abnormalities associated with pathological conditions, such as higher infection rates, inflammatory diseases, cancer or cardiovascular events are common in patients with panic disorder. In the present study, T cell receptor excision circles (TRECs), Forkhead-Box-Protein P3 gene (FOXP3) methylation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and relative telomere lengths (RTLs) were investigated in a total and subsamples of 131 patients with panic disorder as compared to 131 age- and sex-matched healthy controls in order to test for a potential dysfunction and premature aging of the immune system in anxiety disorders. Significantly lower TRECs (p = 0.004) as well as significant hypermethylation of the FOXP3 promoter region (p = 0.005) were observed in female (but not in male) patients with panic disorder as compared to healthy controls. No difference in relative telomere length was discerned between patients and controls, but significantly shorter telomeres in females, smokers and older persons within the patient group. The presently observed reduced TRECs in panic disorder patients and FOXP3 hypermethylation in female patients with panic disorder potentially reflect impaired thymus and immunosuppressive Treg function, which might partly account for the known increased morbidity and mortality of anxiety disorders conferred by e.g. cancer and cardiovascular disorders.

Controle instrucional e relaxamento como preparo psicológico pré-cirúrgico para portadores de cardiopatia

Avaliou-se um preparo pré-cirúrgico baseado em instrução e relaxamento na evolução clínica e comportamento de pacientes submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca em hospital geral no interior do Paraná. Vinte pacientes com idade entre 51 e 73 anos, com condição socioeconômica de baixa a média-alta, foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em grupo experimental e controle. O grupo experimental participou de uma sessão de instrução e outra de relaxamento antes da cirurgia e o grupo-controle recebeu o preparo padrão realizado pelo hospital. Os efeitos da intervenção foram avaliados por nível de cortisol sanguíneo, Inventário de Ansiedade de Beck, comportamento na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva e evolução clínica. Foram encontradas diferenças estatísticas significantes entre o grupo experimental e o grupo-controle em relação ao comportamento menos agitado na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva, nível de cortisol sanguíneo antes da cirurgia, decréscimo no grau de ansiedade intragrupo e evolução clínica. Conclui-se que a intervenção parece ter produzido efeito positivo no comportamento e na evolução clínica do paciente.

Effect of acetylcholine on mitogen response of peripheral lymphocytes isolated from rats exposed to chronic stress

The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of acetylcholine (Ach) on lymphocyte function in rats under chronic stress. The authors isolated peripheral lymphocytes from rats 5 weeks after stress treatment and then measured interleukin-2 (IL-2) production after stimulation with concanavalin A or phytohemagglutinin-L. Although mitogen-induced IL-2 production of the stress group was lower than that of the control group, the addition of Ach significantly increased mitogen-induced IL-2 production in both groups. This effect of Ach was inhibited by atropine in the control group only. The changes (increasing rates) in mitogen-induced IL-2 production from basal condition showed a negative correlation with serum corticosterone concentrations. The authors observed no correlation between the effects of Ach (changes in mitogen-induced IL-2 production with Ach compared to those without Ach) and serum corticosterone concentration. These findings suggest that stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system improves lymphocyte function during chronic stress.