Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Jody A. Rusch, Brian T. Layden, Lara R. Dugas
Summary: Cognitive function in humans relies on the complex interplay between multiple body systems, including the HPA axis. The gut microbiota, which outnumbers human cells and has a greater genetic potential, plays a crucial role through the MGB axis, a bidirectional communication pathway. Stress can affect the MGB axis through the HPA axis and other pathways, and animal research has contributed to a paradigm shift in understanding the influence of microbiota on human health and disease. Preclinical and human trials are currently investigating the applicability of these findings in humans.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Allergy
Wisdom Alemya Akurugu, Carel Jacobus Van Heerden, Nicola Mulder, Ekkehard Werner Zollner
Summary: This study found that some SNPs of the CRHR1 and NR3C1 genes are associated with HPAS in asthmatic children, with the C allele of rs41423247 potentially having a protective effect on HPAS, and the CC genotype being associated with the highest PMTP ACTH response.
PEDIATRIC ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mojca Jensterle, Rok Herman, Andrej Janez, Wael Al Mahmeed, Khalid Al-Rasadi, Kamila Al-Alawi, Maciej Banach, Yajnavalka Banerjee, Antonio Ceriello, Mustafa Cesur, Francesco Cosentino, Massimo Galia, Su-Yen Goh, Sanjay Kalra, Peter Kempler, Nader Lessan, Paulo Lotufo, Nikolaos Papanas, Ali A. Rizvi, Raul D. Santos, Anca P. Stoian, Peter P. Toth, Vijay Viswanathan, Manfredi Rizzo
Summary: The article reviews the rationale for glucocorticoid use in COVID-19 and emphasizes the need to be cautious about glucocorticoid-induced adrenal insufficiency. The authors also discuss other mechanisms that may affect HPA axis function and the increased risk and severity of COVID-19 in patients with pre-existing HPA axis disorders.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Emre Durcan, Aysa Hacioglu, Zuleyha Karaca, Kursad Unluhizarci, Mustafa Sait Gonen, Fahrettin Kelestimur
Summary: The outbreak of COVID-19 has had a significant impact globally, with over 500 million people affected and more than 6 million deaths since 2019. The virus primarily affects the lungs but can also have systemic effects on multiple endocrine organs. Dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is particularly important, as it may lead to death if not diagnosed. COVID-19 may cause both primary and secondary adrenal insufficiencies, and the clinical manifestations are non-specific, often attributed to complications of the infection. This article reviews the evaluation of the HPA axis in COVID-19 patients and highlights the importance of repeated cortisol measurements and ACTH stimulation tests for diagnosis.
NEUROIMMUNOMODULATION
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Cynthia R. Rovnaghi, Joseph Rigdon, Jean-Michel Roue, Monica O. Ruiz, Victor G. Carrion, Kanwaljeet J. S. Anand
Summary: This study aimed to identify children at risk for altered HPA-axis function due to early life stress by examining longitudinal trajectories of hair cortisol concentrations. The results revealed different classes of children with distinct HCC profiles, suggesting varying impacts of ELS on HPA-axis function.
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Jacinda C. Li, Molly A. Hall, Idan Shalev, Hannah M. C. Schreier, Tomas Gonzalez Zarzar, Isabel Marcovici, Frank W. Putnam, Jennie G. Noll
Summary: This study suggests a mechanistic association between HPA axis attenuation and obesity, with the attenuated cortisol growth rate mediating the effects of childhood sexual abuse on accelerated BMI accumulation and elevated adulthood obesity rates.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Soledad Sosa, Karina Danilowicz, Leonardo F. L. Rizzo
Summary: This review discusses the pathophysiological changes of the adrenal axis during critical illness, emphasizing the limitations of using cosyntropin stimulation test for diagnosis and treatment of adrenal insufficiency in critically ill patients.
MEDICINA-BUENOS AIRES
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Qian Liu, Jianhui Wu, Liang Zhang, Xiaofang Sun, Qing Guan, Zhuxi Yao
Summary: This study found that, for the same level of stress, the subjective perceived level of control in young adults can influence the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Juan P. Sanabria-Mazo, Ariadna Colomer-Carbonell, Meritxell Carmona-Cervello, Albert Feliu-Soler, Xavier Borras, Mar Grasa, Montserrat Esteve, Michael Maes, Silvia Edo, Antoni Sanz, Juan V. Luciano
Summary: This systematic review identified preliminary evidence of increased levels of certain immune-inflammatory and HPA axis biomarkers in individuals with NSLBP, but also noted inconsistent results for some biomarkers. Additionally, insufficient evidence was found for IL-6, TNF-alpha, and CRP levels in NSLBP when compared exclusively with healthy controls. The dysregulated functioning of cortisol in NSLBP patients further adds complexity to the understanding of the immune-inflammatory and HPA axis biomarkers in this population.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Ali S. Alzahrani, Noha Mukhtar, Abeer Aljomaiah, Hadeel Aljamei, Abdulmohsen Bakhsh, Nada Alsudani, Tarek Elsayed, Nahlah Alrashidi, Roqayh Fadel, Eman Alqahtani, Hussein Raef, Muhammad Imran Butt, Othman Sulaiman
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the adrenocortical response to COVID-19 infection. The results revealed that patients with more severe disease had lower cortisol and ACTH levels, indicating a direct link between COVID-19 infection and impaired glucocorticoid response.
ENDOCRINE PRACTICE
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Skand Shekhar, Raven McGlotten, Sunyoung Auh, Kristina Rother, Lynnette K. Nieman
Summary: The study revealed that abnormal thyroid function, likely mediated by subnormal nocturnal TSH levels, is prevalent in patients with Cushing syndrome. This abnormality can be reversed after cure.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Martin Werdermann, Ilona Berger, Laura D. Scriba, Alice Santambrogio, Pia Schlinkert, Heike Brendel, Henning Morawietz, Andreas Schedl, Mirko Peitzsch, Aileen J. F. King, Cynthia L. Andoniadou, Stefan R. Bornstein, Charlotte Steenblock
Summary: This study investigated the impact of metabolic diseases on progenitor cells in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, showing that insulin enhances proliferation and differentiation of these cells, while chronic metabolic stress leads to hyperactivation of the axis. This suggests a potential link between early life stress and the development of metabolic syndrome in adulthood.
MOLECULAR METABOLISM
(2021)
Article
Pediatrics
Elanur Uzuntas, Peter Schuermann, Thomas Rothaemel, Thilo Doerk, Michael Klintschar
Summary: The study found that single nucleotide polymorphisms relevant to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which regulates the stress hormone cortisol, are associated with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). These variants appear to decrease cortisol concentration and impair stress response.
Article
Pediatrics
Lekshmi Sambhu Hema, Prawin Kumar, Jagdish Prasad Goyal, Varuna Vyas, Kuldeep Singh
Summary: This study aims to assess the effect of long-term use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. By measuring cortisol levels and conducting adreno-corticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation tests, it was found that only a few asthmatic children using ICS showed HPA axis suppression, and there was no clinical evidence supporting this suppression.
INDIAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bei Zhou, Qilong Xu, Junjie Guo, Qinliang Chen, Qingqing Lv, Kan Xiao, Huiling Zhu, Jiangchao Zhao, Yulan Liu
Summary: This study investigates the role of necroptosis in the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in a stress model induced by Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The findings indicate that necroptosis is present and contributes to HPA axis activation induced by LPS. Necroptosis may serve as a potential intervention target for alleviating HPA axis activation and stress responses.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)