Association of blood lipids, cortisol and Hemodynamics Under stress: A possible role in early Atherogenesis

Abstract

Introduction: High blood cholesterol is claimed as a risk factor but recently it is accepted that cholesterol is increased under psychological stress. When raised in blood, cholesterol plays role in atherosclerosis formation; a role which is being debated since last many decades but still various questions is un-answered. Role of stress in early atherogenesis with association to alteration in blood lipids has been proposed but the available literature is scanty on the subject.

Objective: To explore the association of alterations in blood lipids, cortisol level and hemodynamics under mental stress in youth with no apparent heart disease.

Methodology: 114 male participants were selected from 397 volunteers as per ‘selection criterion’ approved by scientific committee. The volunteers were examined two times: during stress task as ‘stress-study’ and during non-stress period as ‘control’ according to ‘paired sample’ design. Thus, 56.54% apparently healthy subjects were included with exclusion ratio of 43.58%. All experiments were conducted under standard methods at LINAR-Larkana and Physiology Department of Sindh University, Jamshoro. Blood sample were taken between 9.00 am to 12.00 pm.

Results: Cortisol, systolic and diastolic blood pressures and heart rate were significantly increased during stress session. Different lipid levels were changed with different significant values. Correlations of some altered lipid levels with raised values of hemodynamics and cortisol detected were positive and significant.

Conclusion: Most changes in the level of variables were found prone to be “atherogenic in pattern” due to psychological stress. This work may pave a way for better understanding of relationship in between lipid alterations, mental stress and early atherogenesis. For that further studies are needed.

Key Words: Cholesterol, Hemodynamics, Cortisol, psychological stress.