The Importance of Biobehavioral Research to Examine the Physiological Effects of Racial and Ethnic Discrimination in the Latinx Population

A growing body of research is documenting how racial and ethnic populations embody social inequalities throughout the life course. Some scholars recommend the integration of biospecimens representing the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, neurological and endocrinological processes, and inflammation to capture the embodiment of inequality. However, in comparison to other racial and ethnic groups, there has been little research examining how Hispanic/Latinx persons embody racial and ethnic discrimination, much less resulting from institutional and structural racism. We provide a rationale for expanding biobehavioral research examining the physiological consequences of racism among Latinx persons. We identify gaps and make recommendations for a future research agenda in which biobehavioral research can expand knowledge about chronic disease inequities among Latinx populations and inform behavioral and institutional interventions. We end by cautioning readers to approach the recommendations in this article as a call to expand the embodiment of racism research to include the diverse Latinx population as the United States addresses racial inequity.

Neurochemical and Hormonal Contributors to Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder

Purpose of Review Compulsive sexual behavior disorder has been recently included in the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), and the possible contribution of neurochemical and hormonal factors have been reported. However, relatively little is known concerning the neurobiology underlying this disorder. The aim of this article is to review and discuss published findings in the area. Recent Findings Evidence suggests that the neuroendocrine systems are involved in the pathophysiology of compulsive sexual behavior. The hypothalamus-pituitary adrenal axis, the hypothalamus-pituitary–gonadal axis, and the oxytocinergic system have been implicated. Summary Further studies are needed to elucidate the exact involvement of neuroendocrine and hormonal systems in compulsive sexual behavior disorder. Prospective longitudinal studies are particularly needed, especially those considering co-occurring psychiatric disorders and obtaining hormonal assessments in experimental circumstances with appropriate control groups.

The features of changes in adrenal hormones content in mariners during a voyage to different climatic and geographical areas

The hard-working conditions of mariners require a high degree of adaptation of the regulatory systems of the organism. In ensuring adaptation, one of the leading ones is the endocrine system (especially the pituitary-adrenal axis.The aim of the study is to investigate changes in hormonal parameters in mariners during a voyage to various climatic and geographical regions.Materials and methods: Russian seamen were examined during the dynamics of the voyage to various climatogeographic regions. They have determined the levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol four times (before the voyage, at the beginning, in the middle and at the end).The results of the study and their discussion: at the beginning of the voyage, the level of ACTH and cortisol were increased; by the middle of the voyage, ACTH decreased but cortisol remained at the same values; by the end of the voyage, the levels of both hormones decreased and reached values much lower than before the voyage. Considering the dynamics of hormonal levels, the normal course of the general adaptation process occurs in the first half of the voyage. A significant decrease in ACTH and cortisol levels in the second half of the voyage may be a sign of breakdown of adaptive capacity.

Mercury toxicity risk and corticosterone levels across the breeding range of the Yellow-breasted Chat

Mercury (Hg) is an environmental contaminant that can negatively impact human and wildlife health. For songbirds, Hg risk may be elevated near riparian habitats due to the transfer of methylmercury (MeHg) from aquatic to terrestrial food webs. We measured Hg levels in tail feathers sampled across the breeding range of the Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens), a riparian songbird species of conservation concern. We assessed the risk of Hg toxicity based on published benchmarks. Simultaneously, we measured corticosterone, a hormone implicated in the stress response system, released via the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. To better understand range-wide trends in Hg and corticosterone, we examined whether age, sex, subspecies, or range position were important predictors. Lastly, we examined whether Hg and corticosterone were correlated. Hg levels in chats were relatively low: 0.30 ± 0.02 µg/g dry weight. 148 out of 150 (98.6%) had Hg levels considered background, and 2 (1.6%) had levels considered low toxicity risk. Hg levels were similar between sexes and subspecies. Younger chats (<1 year) had higher Hg levels than older chats (>1 year). Hg levels were lowest in the northern and central portion of the eastern subspecies’ range. Corticosterone concentrations in feathers averaged 3.68 ± 0.23 pg/mm. Corticosterone levels were similar between ages and sexes. Western chats had higher levels of corticosterone than eastern chats. Hg and corticosterone were not correlated, suggesting these low Hg burdens did not affect the activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. Altogether, the chat has low Hg toxicity risk across its breeding range, despite living in riparian habitats.

Insomnia: Therapy and Role of neurotransmitters

Insomnia is one of the most common sleep disorders which affects 30-40 percent of the adult population. The present article provides a combined review on prevalence, categories of insomnia, pathophysiology, role of neurotransmitter on sleep and different types of therapies for insomnia. From this review it was estimated that hormones like melatonin, cortisol, and others produced by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis regulate the sleep-wake cycle. Disturbance of this cycle leads to insomnia. Furthermore, Neurotransmitter like GABA-Lglutamic acid, Acetylcholine, Norepinephrine, Dopamine, Serotonin, Steroids, Orexin, and Adenosine plays a major role in sleep regulation. Any alteration or disturbance in the neurotransmitter level affects sleep. It was concluded that Mechanism of action of almost all natural and synthetic derived drugs in regulation of neurotransmitters.

Altered Cortisol Metabolism Increases Nocturnal Cortisol Bioavailability in Prepubertal Children With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

ObjectiveDisturbances in the activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis could lead to functional alterations in the brain of diabetes patients. In a later perspective of investigating the link between the activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and the developing brain in children with diabetes, we assessed here nocturnal cortisol metabolism in prepubertal children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).MethodsPrepubertal patients (aged 6–12 years) diagnosed with T1DM at least 1 year previously were recruited, along with matched controls. Nocturnal urine samples were collected, with saliva samples taken at awakening and 30 minutes after awakening. All samples were collected at home over 5 consecutive days with no detectable nocturnal hypoglycaemia. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (trait scale only) and Child Depression Inventory were also completed. Glucocorticoid metabolites in the urine, salivary cortisol (sF) and cortisone (sE) were measured by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Metabolic data were analysed by logistic regression, adjusting for sex, age, BMI and trait anxiety score.ResultsUrine glucocorticoid metabolites were significantly lower in T1DM patients compared to controls. 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 activity was significantly higher, while 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2, 5(α+β)-reductase and 5α-reductase levels were all lower, in T1DM patients compared to controls. There was a significant group difference in delta sE level but not in delta sF level between the time of awakening and 30 minutes thereafter.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that altered nocturnal cortisol metabolism and morning HPA axis hyperactivity in children with T1DM leads to greater cortisol bioavailability and lower cortisol production as a compensatory effect. This altered nocturnal glucocorticoid metabolism when cortisol production is physiologically reduced and this HPA axis hyperactivity question their impact on brain functioning.

Investigation of possible underlying mechanisms behind water-induced glucose reduction in adults with high copeptin

Elevated copeptin, a surrogate marker of vasopressin, is linked to low water intake and increased diabetes risk. Water supplementation in habitual low-drinkers with high copeptin significantly lowers both fasting plasma (fp) copeptin and glucose. This study aims at investigating possible underlying mechanisms. Thirty-one healthy adults with high copeptin (> 10.7 pmol·L−1 (men), > 6.1 pmol−1 (women)) and 24-h urine volume of < 1.5L and osmolality of > 600 mOsm·kg−1 were included. The intervention consisted of addition of 1.5 L water daily for 6 weeks. Fp-adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), fp-cortisol, 24-h urine cortisol, fasting and 2 h (post oral glucose) insulin and glucagon were not significantly affected by the water intervention. However, decreased (Δ baseline-6 weeks) fp-copeptin was significantly associated with Δfp-ACTH (r = 0.76, p < 0.001) and Δfp-glucagon (r = 0.39, p = 0.03), respectively. When dividing our participants according to baseline copeptin, median fp-ACTH was reduced from 13.0 (interquartile range 9.2–34.5) to 7.7 (5.3–9.9) pmol L−1, p = 0.007 in the top tertile of copeptin, while no reduction was observed in the other tertiles. The glucose lowering effect from water may partly be attributable to decreased activity in the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis.ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03574688.