A high salt intake in early life affects stress-coping response in males but not in female rats

Eating diets high in salt has been associated with alterations in the immune system and the potential development of neuropsychiatric disorders. This area of research shows promise, but there is currently a limited amount of research on this topic. The present study investigated whether a high salt diet (HSD) affects anhedonia and stress-coping response behaviors in young male and female Wistar rats. In this study, male and female Wistar rats were fed an HSD (8 % NaCl w/w) from weaning to post-natal day (PND) 64. From PND 60 to 64, the rats underwent a spontaneous locomotor activity test (SLA), sucrose splash test (SST), sucrose preference test (SPT), and forced swim test (FST), followed by euthanasia at PND 65. Male and female rats consuming the HSD exhibited an increase in water intake compared to the corresponding control diet (CD) groups. Male rats had lower body weight despite having similar food intakes compared to the CD group. Male rats displayed an active stress-coping behavior in the FST, characterized by increased mobility. Additionally, HSD-fed males exhibited a greater preference for sucrose solution in the SPT. However, no effect of diet and sex were detected in the SST and the SLA, and hypothalamic levels of leptin and ghrelin receptors. On the other hand, female rats were less susceptible to the experimental conditions applied in this protocol than males.

A mouse model of oral contraceptive exposure: Depression, motivation, and the stress response

Hormonal contraceptives, including oral contraceptives (OCs), regulate hormonal cycles and broadly affect physiological processes, including stress responsivity. Whereas many users describe overall improved mood, up to 10 % of OC users experience adverse effects, including depression and anxiety. Given the link between regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, stress exposure, and risk for depression, it is likely that OC-effects on stress mediate increased risk or increased resilience to these disorders. In this study, we developed and characterized a tractable mouse model of OC exposure with which to identify the mechanisms underlying OC modulation of brain, behavior, and mood. Specifically, we aimed to determine whether translationally relevant doses of OC-hormones in mice mimic changes in stress responsivity observed in humans taking OCs and describe behavioral changes during OC exposure. Young adult female C57Bl/6 N mice received daily ethinyl estradiol (EE) and levonorgestrel (LVNG) in 10 % sucrose, EE and drospirenone (DRSP) in 10 % sucrose, or 10 % sucrose alone. Translationally relevant doses of EE + LVNG-exposure, but not EE + DRSP, suppressed the acute stress response, consistent with effects observed in human OC users. EE + LVNG caused a specific anhedonia-like effect, without broad changes in stress-coping behavior, other depression-like behaviors, or anxiety-like behaviors. The suppression of regular estrous cycling, together with the blunting of the corticosterone response to acute stress, demonstrate the utility of this model for future studies to identify the mechanisms underlying OC interactions with stress, motivation, and risk for depression.

Post-traumatic growth of family members of deceased cancer patients and related factors in Japan: A cross-sectional study

PURPOSE

This study examines the post-traumatic growth (PTG) of bereaved families who care for cancer patients and related factors in Japan.

METHODS

Participants included 1298 members of bereaved families of cancer patients (aged 20 or older). An anonymous self-administered questionnaire on PTG, coping, and social support was mailed to 496 bereaved families who provided written informed consent.

RESULTS

Responses were obtained from 476 bereaved families; however, since 28 families had missing data, 448 were included for the analyses. The mean age of participants was 61.4 years: 69% women and 45% spouses. The average age of the deceased was 72.8 years old for men (59%). The PTG score of the bereaved families was higher for women than for men (p < 0.0001). Moreover, the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory Score for those above 65 years of age was higher than of those below 65 years of age (p < 0.0001). A regression analysis confirmed that emotion-focused coping, problem-focused coping, relationship with the deceased, advanced age of bereaved families, and emotional support impacted PTG.

CONCLUSION

The significance of the deceased for the bereaved, bereaved family members being older in age, emotion-focused coping, problem-focused coping, and emotional support suggest that these aspects are associated with psychological growth in terms of accepting the death of a loved one and moving forward. It is necessary to evaluate the relationship between the bereaved family and the deceased, the age and gender of the bereaved, coping behaviors, and support status and establish a higher quality bereaved family care system.

Dose-related effects of delta-9-THC on emotional responses to acute psychosocial stress

OBJECTIVES

Cannabis smokers often report that they use the drug to relax or to relieve emotional stress. However, few clinical studies have shown evidence of the stress-relieving effects of cannabis or cannabinoid agonists. In this study, we sought to assess the influence of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a main active ingredient of cannabis, upon emotional responses to an acute psychosocial stressor among healthy young adults.

METHODS

Healthy volunteers (N=42) participated in two experimental sessions, one with psychosocial stress (Trier Social Stress Test, TSST) and another with a non-stressful task, after receiving 0 (N=13), 7.5mg (N=14) or 12.5mg (N=15) oral THC. Capsules were administered under randomized, double blind conditions, 2.5h before the tasks began. We measured subjective mood and drug effects, vital signs and salivary cortisol before and at repeated times after the capsule and tasks. Subjects also appraised the tasks, before and after completion.

RESULTS

In comparison to placebo, 7.5mg THC significantly reduced self-reported subjective distress after the TSST and attenuated post-task appraisals of the TSST as threatening and challenging. By contrast, 12.5mg THC increased negative mood overall i.e., both before and throughout the tasks, and pre-task ratings of the TSST as threatening and challenging. It also impaired TSST performance and attenuated blood pressure reactivity to the stressor.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that a low dose of THC produces subjective stress-relieving effects in line with those commonly reported among cannabis users, but that higher doses may non-specifically increase negative mood.

Coping behaviour of female teachers: Demographic determinants

BACKGROUND

The study investigates the role of certain demographic variables in determining stress-coping behavior of female teachers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The sample consists of 150 female teachers selected by stratified sampling method from various schools of Bhopal. Stress-coping behavior was measured with the help of a subscale of 'The Occupational Stress Indicator' (Wendy Lord, 1993) consisting of 28 items encompassing six dimensions of coping strategies i.e. Logics, Involvement, Social Support, Task Strategies, Time Management and Home and Work Relations. The scores of the subjects were compared in terms of marital status, age, and level of teaching with the help of 't' test and 'F' test was used for comparing experience.

RESULTS

Marital status, age, and experience were found to be significant determinants of stress-coping, whereas the sores did not differ significantly on the basis of level of teaching.

CONCLUSION

Married teachers in the age range of 40-60 years, with higher experience can cope better with the job stress than their counterparts.