Psychoneuroimmunologic Correlates in a Group of Men who Have Sex with Men with Risky Sexual Behaviors / Os Correlatos Psiconeuroimunológicos em um Grupo de Homens que Fazem Sexo com Homens com Comportamentos Sexuais de Risco

ABSTRACT This work aims to know what correlations can be found among psychological, neuropsychological, neurobiological, and immunological measures in a group of men who have sex with men negative for anti-HIV-1/2 antibodies which have sexual risk behaviors. Statistically significant correlations were found among certain behavioral, emotional, personality, neurobiological, and immunological variables. The circuit of interactions among depression, stress, neuroticism, and conscientiousness stands out, which could indirectly explain risky sexual behavior. In summary, there is a relationship between personality characteristics, mood disorders, risk behaviors, and an activated T cell profile.

RESUMO O objetivo deste trabalho é conhecer as correlações que podem ser encontradas entre as medidas psicológicas, neuropsicológicas, neurobiológicas e imunológicas em um grupo de homens que fazem sexo com homens com HIV-1/2 anti-corpos-negativos que se envolvem em comportamentos sexuais de risco. Foram encontradas correlações estatisticamente significativas entre certas variáveis comportamentais, emocionais, de personalidade, neurobiológicas e imunológicas. Destaca-se o circuito de interações entre depressão, estresse, neuroticismo e responsabilidade, que poderia explicar indiretamente o comportamento sexual de risco. Em resumo, há uma relação entre características de personalidade, distúrbios de humor, comportamentos de risco e um perfil de célula T ativado.

Manasika bhavas and roga - A biopsychosocial model

Ayurveda reiterates the relationship between the body and mind in its approach to health as well as illness. Though the vitiated doshas, dhatus and malas remain the physiological basis of illness, the illness itself is a more complex psychosomatic phenomenon. Ayurveda has followed biopsychosomatic approach where more emphasis is given to the aspect of integration body and mind. In somatic diseases the psychological aspect cannot be neglected, similarly in psychological diseases somatic affairs are given due consideration. Social factors also play a major role in the inter relationships, financial support etc. Modern medicine accepted the biopsychosocial approach towards health recently. Manasika bhavas mentioned in Ayurveda such as bhaya, krodha, soka etc., can cause or aggravate several diseases and hence there is a relation between these bhavas and roga. These manasika bhavas act as stressors as it become the cause of several diseases. Body’s response to stress has been widely studied in the branch of Psychoneuroimmunology. Recent research suggests that the mind and body share bidirectional influences, and the science of Psychoneuroimmunology identifies specific mechanisms by which these mind-body changes are mediated. Hence it is important to consider psychological factors along with biological and social factors in all diseases, assess and identify them in a timely manner so as to have effective management.

Alcohol consumption is associated with excessive risk of multiple sclerosis: a meta-analysis observational study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: There have been inconsistent results regarding the association between alcohol intake and susceptibility to multiple sclerosis. OBJECTIVE: To assess the potential role of alcohol intake regarding the risk of multiple sclerosis by using a meta-analytic approach. DESIGN AND SETTING: Observational meta-analysis study conducted in a hospital in China. METHODS: The electronic databases of PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane library were systematically searched for eligible studies from their inception up to January 2020. The summary odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was applied to assess the association between alcohol intake and multiple sclerosis, using a random-effects model. RESULTS: One prospective cohort study and eight case-control studies involving a total of 211,396 subjects and 10,407 cases of multiple sclerosis were selected for the final meta-analysis. From the pooled data, no significant association between alcohol intake and multiple sclerosis risk was found (OR: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.73-1.22; P = 0.668), and this conclusion was judged to be robust. Subgroup analysis found that intake of beer was associated with an increased risk of multiple sclerosis (OR: 1.58; 95% CI: 1.12-2.23; P = 0.010). CONCLUSION: This study found that beer intake could cause an excess risk of multiple sclerosis. Further large-scale prospective studies should be conducted to verify this conclusion.

Psychoneuroimmunology and oncology nursing: a theoretical study / Psiconeuroinmunología y la enfermería oncológica: estudio teórico / Psiconeuroimunologia e a enfermagem oncológica: estudo teórico

ABSTRACT Objective: To discuss the evolution of research in cancer psychoneuroimmunology, the advances in the management of neuropsychological symptom clusters and their interface with mid-range theories, and practical applications in Nursing. Method: This is a theoretical-reflective study anchored in recent literature, as well as in the critical analysis of the authors. Results: This is a promising field of investigation, which emphasizes the complexity and interaction of symptoms, the interrelationships among them, the factors influencing them, and their consequences. Subsidized by mid-range theories in Nursing, such as the Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms and the Theory of Symptom Management, analyses of these interrelationships support Oncology Nursing diagnoses and interventions. Conclusion: An innovative approach is proposed to qualify Oncology Nursing care based on the integration of recent advances in cancer psychoneuroimmunology, Nursing mid-range theories, and practical tools such as health coaching. The approach proposed may strengthen clinical nursing practice in the management of neuropsychological symptom clusters in oncology and shall be integrated into decision-making during cancer treatment, favoring person-centered care.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Discutir la evolución de las investigaciones en psiconeuroinmunología del cáncer, los avances en el manejo de los clusters de síntomas neuropsicológicos y su interface con teorías de rango medio y aplicaciones prácticas por la Enfermería. Método: Estudio teórico-reflexivo ancorado en literatura reciente, así como en el análisis crítico de los autores. Resultados: Este es un campo promisor de investigación, que tiene énfasis en la complejidad y la interacción de los síntomas, las interrelaciones entre ellos, los factores que los influyen y sus consecuencias. Subsidiadas por teorías de rango medio en Enfermería, como la Teoría de los Síntomas Desagradables y la Teoría del Manejo de Síntomas, análisis de estas interrelaciones corroboran los diagnósticos y las intervenciones de Enfermería en Oncología. Consideraciones Finales: Se ha propuesto un abordaje innovador para calificar el cuidado de Enfermería Oncológica a partir de la integración de avances recientes en psiconeuroinmunología del cáncer, teorías de rango medio de Enfermería y herramientas prácticas como coaching de salud. El abordaje propuesto puede fortalecer la práctica clínica de Enfermería en la gestión de los clusters de síntomas neuropsicológicos en oncología y debe ser integrado en las acciones y decisiones durante el tratamiento oncológico que favorezcan el cuidado centrado en las personas.

RESUMO Objetivo: Discutir a evolução das pesquisas em psiconeuroimunologia do câncer, os avanços no manejo dos clusters de sintomas neuropsicológicos e sua interface com teorias de médio alcance e aplicações práticas pela Enfermagem. Método: Estudo teórico-reflexivo ancorado em literatura recente, bem como na análise crítica dos autores. Resultados: Este é um campo promissor de investigação, que enfatiza a complexidade e a interação dos sintomas, as inter-relações entre os mesmos, os fatores que os influenciam e suas consequências. Subsidiadas por teorias de médio alcance em Enfermagem, como a Teoria dos Sintomas Desagradáveis e a Teoria de Gerenciamento de Sintomas, análises destas inter-relações corroboram os diagnósticos e as intervenções de Enfermagem em Oncologia. Conclusão: Propõe-se uma abordagem inovadora para qualificar o cuidado de Enfermagem Oncológica a partir da integração de avanços recentes em psiconeuroimunologia do câncer, teorias de médio alcance de Enfermagem, e ferramentas práticas como coaching de saúde. A abordagem proposta pode fortalecer a prática clínica da Enfermagem no manejo dos clusters de sintomas neuropsicológicos em oncologia e deve ser integrada na tomada de decisões durante o tratamento oncológico, favorecendo o cuidado centrado na pessoa.

Influencia adrenérgica y colinérgica sobre la producción de especies reactivas de oxígeno en neutrófilos humanos* / Adrenergic and cholinergic influence on the production of reactive oxygen species in human neutrophils*

RESUMEN Objetivos. Determinar y comparar el efecto de fármacos agonistas adrenérgicos y colinérgicos sobre la producción de especies reactivas de oxígeno (ROS) en neutrófilos de individuos sanos. Materiales y métodos. Se tomaron muestras de sangre total de cinco participantes para purificar los neutrófilos mediante el método de gelatina. Se midió la producción de ROS por quimioluminiscencia (QLM) usando un contador de centelleo y forbol-12-miristato-13-acetato (PMA) como estímulo. También se realizaron pruebas sin PMA para medir la producción espontánea. Posteriormente, con el mismo método se midió la formación de ROS en presencia de nicotina (agonista colinérgico), salbutamol y clonidina (agonistas adrenérgicos), cada uno en concentraciones de 10-2 M, 10-3 M, 10-4 M y 10-5 M. Se calculó el área integrada bajo las curvas de QLM y se halló el porcentaje de inhibición o de estimulación según sea el caso. Se comparó el efecto provocado por las drogas con sus controles correspondientes y se realizó el análisis estadístico. Resultados. Se obtuvo una disminución de la producción de ROS como efecto de las sustancias estudiadas con una diferencia significativa entre los controles y el efecto producido a 10-2 M, 10-3 M y 10-4 M. Este efecto aumentó de intensidad conforme la concentración de las drogas se incrementó. Los mayores porcentajes de inhibición se mostraron a 10-2 M y 10-3 M. Salbutamol presentó los máximos valores con todas las concentraciones con diferencia significativa entre su inhibición y la generada por las demás drogas. Conclusiones. Los estímulos adrenérgico y colinérgico tienen un efecto inhibitorio de la producción de ROS en neutrófilos de individuos sanos.

ABSTRACT Objectives. To determine and compare the effect of adrenergic and cholinergic agonist drugs on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in neutrophils of healthy individuals. Materials and Methods. Whole blood samples were taken from five participants to purify neutrophils using the gelatin method. The production of chemiluminescent (QLM) ROS was measured using a scintillation counter and phorbol-12-myristat-13-acetate (PMA) as a stimulus. Non-PLA tests were also conducted to measure spontaneous production. Subsequently, with the same method, ROS formation was measured in the presence of nicotine (cholinergic agonist), salbutamol, and clonidine (adrenergic agonists), each in concentrations of 10-2 M, 10-3 M, 10-4 M, and 10-5 M. The area integrated under the QLM curves was calculated and the percentage of inhibition or stimulation was found as the case may be. The effect of the drugs was compared with their corresponding controls and statistical analysis was carried out. Results. A decrease in the production of ROS was obtained as an effect of the substances studied with a significant difference between the controls and the effect produced at 10-2 M, 10-3 M, and 10-4 M . This effect increased in intensity as drug concentration increased. The highest percentages of inhibition were shown at 10-2 M and 10-3 M. Salbutamol presented the maximum values with all the concentrations with a significant difference between its inhibition and that generated by the other drugs. Conclusions. Adrenergic and cholinergic stimuli have an inhibitory effect on the production of ROS in neutrophils of healthy individuals.

Eficácia da técnica de relaxamento com imagem guiada em pacientes oncológicos submetidos a tratamento quimioterápico / Efficacy of guided imagery relaxation in chemotherapy-treated cancer patients

OBJETIVOS: avaliar a eficácia da técnica de relaxamento com imagem guiada em pacientes oncológicos submetidos a tratamento quimioterápico em relação à diminuição dos níveis de depressão e ansiedade. MÉTODOS: Estudo do tipo ensaio clínico não randomizado. A amostra foi constituída de participantes de ambos os sexos, com idade igual ou superior a 30 anos e que estavam iniciando tratamento quimioterápico em um hospital universitário de Porto Alegre. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos: Grupo Experimental, no qual foi aplicada a técnica de relaxamento, e Grupo Controle, sem a intervenção. As sessões de relaxamento com a técnica de imagem guiada tiveram duração de 12 minutos e foram realizadas durante um período de 14 semanas, sempre durante o procedimento quimioterápico. Para avaliar os níveis de depressão e ansiedade foram aplicados os instrumentos Inventário de Depressão de Beck e Inventário de Ansiedade de Beck no período inicial e final do estudo. Os dados foram analisados no software estatístico Epi Info 7.0, utilizando os testes t de Student, Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney e Qui-quadrado de Pearson. Foram considerados significativos valores de p inferiores a 0,05. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 113 participantes, com média de idade de 51,3 anos, sendo 62,8% do sexo feminino e 72,6% casados. Os tipos de neoplasia mais prevalentes foram câncer de mama, pulmão e intestino. Foram alocados 57 pacientes no Grupo Experimental e 56 pacientes no Grupo Controle. Houve diminuição dos níveis de depressão e ansiedade nos pacientes do Grupo Experimental, com variação dos escores de depressão de 17,3±9,04 para 14,5±7,47 (p<0,0001) e de ansiedade de 15,1±8,84 para 12,9±7,58 (p<0,0001). No Grupo Controle não foi observada diferença significativa entre a avaliação inicial e final. CONCLUSÕES: A intervenção através da técnica de relaxamento com imagem guiada mostrou eficácia em reduzir os níveis de depressão e ansiedade nessa amostra de pacientes oncológicos em vigência de quimioterapia.

AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy of guided imagery relaxation in decreasing depression and anxiety levels in cancer patients submitted to chemotherapy. METHODS: A nonrandomized clinical trial was performed in male and female patients aged 30 years or older submitted to chemotherapy at a university hospital in Porto Alegre, southern Brazil. The patients were divided into an Experimental Group, which received the intervention (relaxation technique), and into a Control Group, which did not receive it. Twelve-minute guided imagery relaxation sessions were performed for 14 weeks, always during the chemotherapy procedure. In order to evaluate depression and anxiety levels, the Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory were applied at baseline and at the end of the study period. The data were analyzed by the EpiInfo7.0 statistical software using Student's t, Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney, and Pearson's chi-square tests. Statistical significance was obtained when p<0.05. RESULTS: A total of 113 participants with a mean age of 51.3 years, among whom 62.8% were female and 72.6% were married, were included in the study. Breast, lung, and intestinal cancers were the most prevalent types of neoplasms. Fifty-seven patients were assigned to the Experimental Group and 56 to the Control Group. There was a decrease in depression and anxiety levels in the Experimental Group, in which depression scores ranged from 17.3±9.04 to 14.5±7.47 (p<0.0001) and anxiety scores ranged from 15.1±8.84 to 12.9±7.58 (p<0.0001). No significant difference was observed in the Control Group between the baseline and final evaluations. CONCLUSIONS: The guided imagery relaxation technique was efficacious in reducing depression and anxiety levels in this sample of chemotherapytreated cancer patients.

Neuroimmunoendocrine trajectories and the response to stress and fatigue in pediatric cancer patients under chemotherapy submitted to clown intervention / Trajetórias neuroimunoendócrinas e resposta ao estresse e à fadiga em pacientes oncológicos pediátricos em tratamento quimioterápico submetidos à intervenção do palhaço

Cancer and the hospitalization process often have a psychological impact on the children and adolescents, usually leading to intense stress as well as fatigue. This especially applies to children and adolescents who have been submitted to chemotherapy, since it still constitutes a stressful and threatening experience for them and may exacerbate cancer symptom burden clusters, leading to a decrease in their health related quality of life (QoL). In addition, stress associated with cancer development leads to disturbances/disruption in the hypothalamicpituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and suppresses important neuroimmunoendocrine pathways. Hence, interventions aimed at attenuating the physiological changes related to stress favor the recovery of the immune system and, consequently, induce alterations in neuroimmunoendocrine factors that increase immunological surveillance during cancer treatment. With the increase in cancer rates, it is crucial that healthcare professionals develop effective interventions to support pediatric cancer patients during the hospitalization process in order to relieve the burden of cancer treatment, which may contribute to a better prognosis of the disease. In an attempt to alleviate some of the cancer-related symptoms, pediatric oncology patients can take advantage of non-pharmacological interventions, including clown intervention, which can be a very advantageous approach to reduce unpleasant symptoms in pediatric cancer patients. However, few studies have investigated the molecular mechanisms that mediate health outcomes of clown intervention. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the clown intervention on psychological stress and cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in pediatric cancer inpatients undergoing chemotherapy. Also, we aimed to investigate whether changes in the levels of biomarkers, including cortisol, ?-amylase (sAA), cytokines, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) are associated with psychological stress and CRF levels in pediatric osteosarcoma inpatients following clown intervention. A pretestposttest quasi-experimental study was undertaken with pediatric cancer inpatients. Eight nonfasting saliva samples were collected at identical times upon clown intervention, i.e., at baseline (pre-intervention) and post-intervention (+ 1h, + 4h, + 9h, and + 13h post awakening). Salivary cortisol, sAA, cytokines and MMP-9 concentrations were measured using high sensitivity Enzyme-Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay. Sociodemographic and clinical data, and Child Stress Scale-ESI(TM) and PedsQL(TM) Multidimensional Fatigue Scale were applied and the results were compared at baseline and after the clown intervention, and also correlated with biomarker trajectories. Data analysis was performed using nonparametric statistical tests. In comparison with baseline measurements, the overall psychological stress for pediatric cancer inpatients as well as their perception of fatigue improved upon clown intervention (p= 0.003; p= 0.049, respectively). There were no significant correlations between sAA and cortisol for both Areas Under Curve (AUC) at baseline or at post-intervention. Also, clown intervention reduced IL1? and salivary cortisol levels in pediatric osteosarcoma inpatients. Additionally, AUC for IL1? positively correlated with AUC for cortisol as well as with AUC for sAA at postintervention. In contrast, levels of IL-6, TNF-?, IL-12p70, IL-10, TGF-? and MMP-9 did not show significant differences upon clown intervention. Overall, our results suggest that clown intervention is a good non-pharmacological intervention to reduce psychological stress and CRF in pediatric cancer inpatients undergoing chemotherapy

O câncer e o processo de hospitalização comumente cursam com forte impacto psicológico sobre as crianças e adolescentes, gerando estresse e fadiga. Isto aplica-se especialmente, para àqueles sob quimioterapia, pois esta, constitui-se em uma das experiências mais estressantes e ameaçadoras que pode exacerbar os sintomas relacionados ao câncer e levar a uma diminuição da qualidade de vida (QV). O estresse associado ao desenvolvimento do câncer pode causar disrupturas no eixo hipotálamo-hipófise-adrenal, e suprimir importantes vias neuroimunoendócrinas. Assim, intervenções destinadas a atenuar as alterações fisiológicas relacionadas ao estresse podem favorecer a recuperação do sistema imune e induzir alterações neuroimunoendócrinas para potencializar a vigilância imunológica durante o tratamento oncológico. Com o aumento da incidência de câncer, é crucial que os profissionais de saúde desenvolvam intervenções eficazes para o manejo dos sintomas oncológicos, de modo a aliviar a sobrecarga do tratamento nesses pacientes durante o processo de hospitalização, de modo a contribuir para um melhor prognóstico da doença. Ademais, pacientes pediátricos oncológicos podem se beneficiar de intervenções não-farmacológicas, por exemplo, a intervenção dos clowns, para aliviar os sintomas relacionados ao câncer. Contudo, poucos estudos têm investigado os mecanismos moleculares envolvendo a intervenção dos clowns. Nosso objetivo principal foi investigar os efeitos da intervenção dos clowns sobre o estresse psicológico e a fadiga-relacionada ao câncer (FRC) em pacientes pediátricos oncológicos sob quimioterapia. Além disso, nós investigamos se alterações nos níveis de cortisol, ?-amilase (sAA), citocinas e metaloproteinases de matriz (MMP-9) estão associadas com estresse psicológico e com FRC de pacientes pediátricos com osteossarcoma submetidos à intervenção dos clowns. Trata-se de um estudo quase-experimental pré-teste/pós-teste. Foram colhidas oito amostras de saliva em momentos idênticos, isto é, no baseline (pré-intervenção) e no pós-intervenção (+ 1h, + 4h, + 9h e + 13h após o despertar). As concentrações de cortisol salivar, sAA, citocinas e MMP-9 foram mensuradas por ELISA. Dados sociodemográficos e clínicos foram coletados via prontuários médicos, além disso, foram aplicadas a Escala de Estresse Infantil-ESI(TM) e a Escala Multidimensional de Fadiga-PedsQL(TM). Os escores das escalas foram comparados entre o baseline e o pós-intervenção, e também, foram correlacionados com os níveis dos biomarcadores. Para análise dos dados, utilizou-se da estatística descritiva e estatística não paramétrica. Em comparação com as medidas do baseline, observamos que os níveis de estresse psicológico total, bem como os de fadiga geral dos pacientes pediátricos oncológicos, melhoraram significativamente após a intervenção dos clowns ( p= 0.003; p= 0.049, respectivamente). Não houve correlações significativas entre as Áreas sob Curva (AUC) da sAA e do cortisol no baseline e nem no pós-intervenção. Além disso, a intervenção dos clowns reduziu os níveis de IL-1? e de cortisol nos pacientes pediátricos com osteossarcoma. A AUC da IL-1? correlacionou-se positivamente com AUC do cortisol e com a AUC da sAA no pósintervenção. Inversamente, os níveis de IL-6, TNF-?, IL-12p70, IL-10, TGF-? e MMP-9 não mostraram diferenças significativas no pós-intervenção. Em síntese, nossos resultados sugerem que a intervenção dos clowns é uma boa intervenção não-farmacológica para reduzir o estresse psicológico e a FRC em pacientes pediátricos oncológicos sob quimioterapia

Del dualismo cartesiano a la psiconeuroinmunología: Nuevos horizontes de ayuda a pacientes oncológicos a partir de la intervención del psicólogo de la salud

La revisión teórica que se desarrolló pretende brindar nuevos horizontes de ayuda a pacientes oncológicos desde la Psicología de la Salud, en respuesta a los escenarios multidisciplinarios emergentes en la actualidad como es el caso de la Psiconeuroinmunología y su contribución para el abordaje del cáncer junto al despliegue de nuevos profesionales que desde distintas disciplinas trabajan aplicando las nuevas tecnologías desarrolladas en este ámbito para el tema del cáncer. Desde esta perspectiva, se presentan desde la psicología, propuestas concretas como la Terapia Cognitiva Comportamental del Mindfulness o Atención Plena para el control y la superación del estrés crónico, el poder terapéutico de la Expresión Emocional Escrita como una herramienta fundamental para estimular la fluidez de las emociones reprimidas y por último se presentan algunas Técnicas de Afrontamiento Cognitivo para el Manejo del Dolor por cáncer como alternativas puntuales para el trabajo del psicólogo con los pacientes que sufren a causa de esta enfermedad tan devastadora en el mundo.

The theoretical review that was developed intends to offer new horizons of help to oncological patients from the Psychology of Health, in response to the multidisciplinary scenarios that are emerging today, such as the case of Psychoneuroimmunology and its contribution to the approach to cancer along with the deployment of new professionals from different disciplines working applying the newtechnologies developed in this field to the topic of cancer. From this perspective, specific proposals such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy of Mindfulness or Mindfulness for the control and overcoming of chronic stress, the therapeutic power of Written Emotional Expression as a fundamental tool to stimulate the flow of repressed emotions and finally some Cognitive Coping Techniques for the Management of Pain due to cancer as specific alternatives for the work of the psychologist with patients suffering from this devastating disease in the world.

A revisão teórica que foi desenvolvido visa proporcionar novos horizontes ajuda pacientes com câncer a partir da Psicologia da Saúde, em resposta ao emergente cenários multidisciplinares hoje como no caso da psiconeuroimunologia ea sua contribuição para a luta contra o cancro com a implantação de novos profissionais de diferentes disciplinas trabalhando aplicando as novas tecnologias desenvolvidas neste campo ao tema do câncer. A partir desta perspectiva, são apresentados a partir de psicologia, propostas concretas, como a terapia cognitivo-comportamental Mindfulness ou Mindfulness para controlare superar o estresse crônico, o poder terapêutico da expressão emocional escrita como uma ferramenta fundamental para estimular o fluxo de emoções reprimidas e finalmente algumas Técnicas de Enfrentamento Cognitivo para o Tratamento da Dor devido ao câncer como alternativas específicas para o trabalho do psicólogo com pacientes que sofrem desta doença devastadora no mundo.

A Review of Postpartum Depression: Focused on Psychoneuroimmunological Interaction

PURPOSE: The purpose of this review was to describe a psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) framework for postpartum depression (PPD) and discuss its implications for nursing research and practice for postpartum women. METHODS: This study explored the role of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and inflammation as possible mediators of risk factors for PPD through literature review. RESULTS: From this PNI view, human bodies are designed to respond with the reciprocal interactions among the neuro-endocrine and immune system when they are faced with physical or psychological stressors. Chronic stress induces alterations in the function of HPA axis, and a chronic low-grade inflammatory response is associated with depression. The dysfunctions of cytokines and HPA axis have been observed during the postpartum period. Stress promotes glucocorticoid receptor resistance, which can promote inflammatory responses. This, in turn, can contribute to the pathophysiology of depression. This can especially affect populations at vulnerable time-points, such as women in the postpartum. CONCLUSION: From a PNI perspective, well-designed prospective research evaluating the role of stress and inflammation as an etiology of PPD and the effect of stress reduction is warranted to prevent PPD.

A Body Divided: Toward Reunification of the Paradigm.

Symptoms without obvious physical cause are commonly reported in medical practice; when chronic, they can have a significant influence on patients' well-being. When traditional medicine is unable to provide relief, sufferers of such conditions often turn to alternative therapies. Western medicine has historically viewed the body through a silo model, i.e, a whole consisting of disparate body systems with well-defined boundaries and little relevant interaction. This model ignores the myriad of interactive functions that each system must require and hinders understanding of syndromes for which etiology is not confined to one organ system, particularly those with a strong psychosocial component. In addition, this model is increasingly shown to be antiquated: recent evidence of Pavlovian conditioning of physiological processes (i.e., placebo and nocebo affects, immune system conditioning), physiological distinctions between multiple personalities, and the pervasive effects of psychosocial stress on every body system (down to the level of the genome) demand a new paradigm. As our appreciation expands of the innumerable interactions between body systems as well as those between all body systems and the mind, the human body is revealed to be a complex web of neurological, immunologic and endocrine interactions that in turn modulate a fluid epigenetic base. Firmly planted in the rationalistic viewpoint that is the foundation of Western medicine, but inclusive of the more wholistic (mind and body) view of Eastern medicine, a nexus model which views the body as the series of multi-connected, interacting physiological webs is essential to continued progress in medicine.

Depression as an Inflammatory Disease / 대한정신약물학회지

Inflammation is an immune response engaged with the reciprocal interactions among the neural, endocrine and immune system. From this psychoneuroimmunological view, inflammation is one of important allostatic loads contributory to depression. Sickness behaviors in the inflammatory state share many parts of depressive symptoms and patients treated with cytokines for various illnesses are at increased risk of developing depression. The dysfunctions of cytokines and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis have been widely investigated to find out inflammatory responses. Inflammatory mediators such as cytokines, glucocorticoid and C-reactive protein affect the etiopathogenesis of depression via altered monoamine and glutamate neurotransmission, glucocorticoid receptor resistance and neurogenesis. Although inflammation is subtle and not easy to be detected in the wide population, it is basal pathophysiology and plays an important role at least to the vulnerable patients. From this perspectives, inflammatory markers may be useful in the diagnosis and prediction of treatment response, leading to the possibility of tailored treatments. Understanding depression as a kind of inflammatory disease would provide new opportunities for the psychiatry beyond monoamine theory.

Medicina y estrés: antecedentes históricos y evidencias científicas / Medicine and stress: historic antecedents and scientific evidence

El estrés puede alterar la capacidad inmunológica de una persona, ya sea a través de neurotransmisores o a través de hormonas. El cambio hormonal que se produce como consecuencia del estrés afectará el desarrollo de cualquier enfermedad. Esto implica que el médico no debe considerar al paciente sólo como portador de una enfermedad sino también como un ser sufriente tanto física como emocionalmente, teniendo en cuenta que esas emociones pueden modificar el curso de su enfermedad. En este trabajo pretendemos llamar la atención sobre un tema que, si bien suele estar presente en el pensamiento médico, no siempre lo está como conocimiento fundamentado. Comenzamos con una breve referencia histórica y describimos las evidencias científicas que avalan la relación que nos ocupa.

Stress can alter a person's immune capacity, eíther through neurotransmitters or through hormones. Hormonal change that occurs as a results of stress affects the development of any disease. This implies that the physician should consider the patient not only as a carrier of a disease but also a suffering being, both physically and emotionally, bearing in mind that these emotions can alter the course of the disease. In this paper, we draw attention to an issue that, while often present in medical thinking, is not always as knowledge based. We begin with a brief historical reference and describe the scientific evidence that supports the relationship in question.

A intervenção de enfermagem: relaxamento e seus efeitos no sistema imunológico de puérperas / A nursing intervention relaxation, and its effects on the immune system of postpartum women

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar os efeitos da técnica de relaxamento nos níveis de Imunoglobulina A (IgA) salivar em puérperas e a relação com as variáveis: idade, grau de instrução, estado civil, tipo de parto e paridade. MÉTODOS: Estudo experimental randomizado realizado em uma maternidade do Espírito Santo (Brasil). A amostra constituiu-se de 60 puérperas. O grupo experimental composto por 30 puérpuras seguiu a técnica de relaxamento proposta por Benson. As variáveis foram coletadas por meio de formulário específico e o nível de IgA salivar por imunoturbidimetria em dois momentos: até 24 horas pós-parto e 7 dias depois. RESULTADOS: Verificou-se aumento significativo dos níveis de IgA no grupo experimental (p= 0,01) após a prática do relaxamento e ausência de relação entre as variáveis de controle e a IgA. CONCLUSÃO: O relaxamento pode ajudar a aumentar a resistência imunológica de puérperas.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of relaxation techniques in the levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA) in saliva of postpartum women, in relationship to the variables: age, education level, marital status, type of delivery and parity. METHODS: This experimental, randomized trial was conducted in a maternity ward of Espirito Santo (Brazil). The sample consisted of 60 postpartum women. The experimental group consisted of 30 postpartum women who received the relaxation technique proposed by Benson. The levels were collected using a specific form and level of salivary IgA by immunoturbidimetry in two stages: up to 24 hours postpartum, and 7 days later. RESULTS: We observed a significant increase of IgA levels in the experimental group (p = 0.01) after the practice of relaxation, and a lack of relationship between the control variables and IgA. CONCLUSIONS: Relaxation can help increase immunological resistance in postpartum women.

OBJETIVOS: Evaluar los efectos de la técnica de relajación en los niveles de Inmunoglobulina A (IgA) salival en puérperas y la relación con las variables: edad, grado de instrucción, estado civil, tipo de parto y paridad. MÉTODOS: Estudio experimental randomizado realizado en una maternidad de Espírito Santo (Brasil).La muestra se constituyó de 60 puérperas. El grupo experimental compuesto por 30 puérperas siguió la técnica de relajación propuesta por Benson. Las variables fueron recolectadas por medio de un formulario específico y el nivel de IgA salival por imunoturbidimetria en dos momentos: hasta 24 horas post-parto y 7 días después. RESULTADOS: Se verificó aumento significativo de los niveles de IgA en el grupo experimental (p= 0,01) después de la práctica de relajación y ausencia de relación entre las variables de control y la IgA. CONCLUSIÓN: La relajación puede ayudar a aumentar la resistencia inmunológica de puérperas.

Depressive symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis / Sintomas depressivos em pacientes com artrite reumatoide

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (a chronic inflammatory disease) in comparison to a control group with osteoarthritis (a chronic non-inflammatory degenerative disease) and to identify the sociodemographic and clinical variables associated with depressive symptoms in these patients. METHOD: Sixty-two rheumatoid arthritis patients and 60 osteoarthritis patients participated in the study. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Disability Index of the Health Assessment Questionnaire were applied. RESULTS: The prevalence of depressive symptoms was of 53.2 percent in rheumatoid arthritis and 28.3 percent in osteoarthritis (p = 0.005). The prevalence of anxiety symptoms was of 48.4 percent in rheumatoid arthritis and 50.0 percent in osteoarthritis (p = 0.859). The mean (and standard deviation) scores in the Disability Index of the Health Assessment Questionnaire were 1.4 (0.8) in rheumatoid arthritis and 1.4 (0.6) in osteoarthritis (p = 0.864). Rheumatoid arthritis patients with depressive symptoms had lower education and higher disease activity and functional disability. CONCLUSION: Although these two rheumatic diseases are similar in terms of the pain and functional disability that they cause, a significantly higher prevalence of depressive symptoms was found in rheumatoid arthritis patients. This difference might be explained by the hypothesis of a neuroimmunobiological mechanism related to cytokines in inflammatory diseases, which has been considered as a candidate to the development of depressive symptoms.

OBJETIVO: Determinar a prevalência de sintomas depressivos e ansiosos na artrite reumatóide (doença inflamatória crônica) em comparação com um grupo controle com osteoartrite (doença crônico-degenerativa não inflamatória). Identificar variáveis sociodemográficas e clínicas associadas a sintomas depressivos nesses pacientes. MÉTODO: Participaram do estudo 62 pacientes com artrite reumatóide e 60 pacientes com osteoartrite. Foram coletados dados sociodemográficos e clínicos e foram aplicadas as escalas Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale e Disability Index of the Health Assessment Questionnaire. RESULTADOS: A prevalência dos sintomas depressivos foi 53,2 por cento na artrite reumatóide e 28,3 por cento na osteoartrite (p = 0,005). A prevalência dos sintomas ansiosos foi 48,4 por cento na artrite reumatóide e 50,0 por cento na osteoartrite (p = 0,859). Os valores médios (desvio padrão) de Disability Index of the Health Assessment Questionnaire foram 1,4 (0,8) na artrite reumatóide e 1,4 (0,6) na osteoartrite (p = 0,864). Pacientes com artrite reumatóide e sintomas depressivos apresentaram menor nível educacional e maiores níveis de atividade da doença e incapacidade funcional. CONCLUSÃO: Embora ambas as doenças reumatológicas sejam similares em termos de dor e incapacidade funcional, uma prevalência significativamente maior de sintomas depressivos na artrite reumatóide foi encontrada. Essa diferença poderia ser explicada por meio da hipótese de um mecanismo neuroimunobiológico relacionado às citocinas nas doenças inflamatórias, o qual vem sendo considerado candidato para o desenvolvimento de sintomas depressivos.

An Overview of Psychoneuroimmunology

This review briefly summarizes the relevant knowledge of psychoneuroimmunological basis for neuroimmunology, with particular emphasis on bidirectional neural-immune interactions. The immune system and the nervous system maintain extensive communication, including hardwiring of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves to lymphoid organs. Immune system is modulated by various neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine, norepinephrine, substance P and histamine. Neuroendocrine hormones such as corticotrophin-releasing hormone(CRH) or substance P regulate cytokine balance. The immune system modulates brain activity including sleep and body temperature. Recent studies have revealed that psychological factors which influence immunity and immune-related disease may modulate brain-to -immune interaction. But, we still await the scientific research and evidences to prove whether or how behavioral or treatment intervention of stress can influence the development, progress or prevention of a specific disease.

Cytokines and Depression

Accumulating evidence has suggested the existence of reciprocal communication between immune, endocrine, and neurotransmitter system. Cytokine hypothesis of depression implies that increased pro-inflammatory cytokine such as -1, IL-6, IL-12, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma in major depression, acting neuromodulators, play a key role in the mediation of behavioral, neuroendocrine, and neurochemical disturbances in depression. Concerning the relation between cytokines and serotonin metabolism, pro-inflammatory cytokines have profound effects on the metabolism of brain serotonin through the enzyme indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase(IDO) that metabolizes tryptophan, the precursor of 5-HT to neurodegenerative quinolinate and neuroprotective kynurenate. The neurodegeneration process is reinforced by the neurotoxic effect of the hypercortisolemia during depression. From this perspective, it is possible that efficacy of antidepressants in the treatment of depression may, at least in part, rely on downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine synthesis. So, the use of cytokine synthesis inhibitors or cytokine antagonists may be a new treatment approach in depression. However, at present the question whether cytokines play a causal role in the onset of depression or are mere epiphenomena sustaining depressive symptoms remains to be elucidated. Nevertheless, cytokine hypothesis has created new perspectives in the study of psychological and pathophysiological mechanism that are associated with major depression, as well as the prospect for developing a new generation antidepressants.

Estrés y sistema inmune / Stress and immune system

En los últimos años, el estudio de la interacción entre la conducta, función neural y endocrina, y los procesos inmunes, ha desarrollado un campo de investigación interdisciplinario. Cuando en los organismos vivientes se ve perturbado el equilibrio homeostático por deficiencia o por exceso de los estímulos a los que el organismo es capaz de ajustarse, se produce el estrés, el cual es, por lo general, multifactorial. Se revisan las interacciones entre el sistema nervioso y el sistema inmune, así como las influencias del estrés psicológico sobre la inmunidad tanto en los animales como en los humanos.

In the last years, the study of the interaction among behaviour, neural and endocrine function and the immune processes, has developed an interdisciplinary research field. When the homeostatic balance in the living organisms is disturbed by deficiency or excess of stimuli, to which the organism is able to adjust, a generally multifactorial stress is produced. The interactions between the nervous system and the immune system, as well as the influences of psychological stress on immunity, both in animals and humans, are reviewed.

Paroxetine and bupropion have no in vitro effects on lynphocyte proliferation and viability

OBJECTIVE: Initial studies with tricyclic antidepressants demonstrated that they jeopardize the immune system activity. Recent studies suggested that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors would have stimulating immunological effects. Here, we explored the in vitro immunological effects of two antidepressants used in clinical practice, paroxetine (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) and bupropion (norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor). METHOD: Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 16 healthy volunteers and the peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and cultured in vitro. We evaluated the effects of bupropion and paroxetine on cell viability as well as the ability to suppress phytohemagglutinin-induced lymphocyte proliferation. RESULTS: Both antidepressants produced neither significant effect on cell viability nor on T-cell proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: This could be of valuable information for the clinical practice when these drugs are administered. These results indicate a more favorable effect of such psychopharmacological drugs when compared to reported immunological effects associated with tryciclic antidepressants.

OBJETIVO: Os estudos iniciais com antidepressivos tricíclicos demonstraram que estes prejudicam a atividade do sistema imune. Estudos mais recentes sugerem que os inibidores seletivos da recaptação de serotonina poderiam apresentar efeitos imunológicos estimulantes. No presente estudo, exploramos os efeitos imunológicos in vitro de dois antidepressivos usados na prática clínica, paroxetina (inibidor seletivo da recaptação de serotonina) e bupropiona (inibidor da recaptação da noradrenalina e dopamina). MÉTODO: Obtiveram-se amostras de sangue periférico de 16 voluntários saudáveis e as células mononucleares do sangue periférico foram isoladas e cultivadas in vitro. Avaliamos os efeitos de bupropiona e da paroxetina em termos de viabilidade das células, como também a habilidade para suprimir a proliferação de linfócitos induzida por fitoemaglutinina. RESULTADOS: Nenhum efeito significativo foi produzido por ambos os antidepressivos na viabilidade das células nem na proliferação de células T. CONCLUSÕES: Esses resultados podem ser de valiosa informação para a prática clínica quando essas drogas são administradas. Esses resultados indicam um efeito mais favorável desses psicofármacos quando comparados aos efeitos imunológicos relacionados ao uso de antidepressivos tricíclicos ou lítio.

"Cancer and Acupuncture & Moxibustion"-The Effective Indications and the Limitations of Acupuncture Treatments as Primary and Secondary Preventions (Treating Patient before Disease Arises), Treatments, Palliative Cares of Cancer- / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

In recent years, we have been told that the western medicine has developed the techniques of treatments on cancer, but the truth is that very few practical accomplishments has been made, while death rate from cancer has been steadily increasing. Although acupuncture has been thought to be ineffective in the treatments of cancer, nowadays we find some reports concerning its effectiveness in palliative cares, improvements of quality of life (QOL) and cancer regressions. Thus, this symposium was planned to investigate this theme. There were reports from appointed speakers on the acupuncturists' feelings of swung back and forth between joy and despair when treating patients with cancer, the experiences in treating her parents who died of lung cancer, and the patients who failed or rejected to be treated in western medicine but successfully treated using acupuncture eventually.<BR>A panelist who practices acupuncture treatments in a hospital reported the effectiveness and indications on combined application of acupuncture and standard treatments for the patients in the terminal stage of cancer. He also reported that no correlation had been found between effective rates and duration (frequency) of treatments neither between stages (duration) of disorders and efficacy. Furthermore, if the environment of acupuncture treatment is well organized, he mentioned that acupuncture can produce a good deal of effect even in patients with terminal stage. He also reported that acupuncture will be able to influence on the physiology in autonomic nervous system, leading to the hyperactivity of parasympathetic nerve.<BR>A panelist who practices his acupuncture treatments based on the theory of Professor Abo reported the effectiveness of acupuncture in improving QOL and in prolonging one's life. He showed an actual situation of the patient with scirrhous carcinoma who had prolonged his life for a long period using acupuncture treatment. He also demonstrated that radiotherapy, one of the three major medical treatments for cancer, will deprive the resistance of the patients.<BR>A panelist who advocates salutogenesis demonstrated the possibility of the direct effectiveness of acupuncture treatment on cancer because acupuncture has significant effects in alleviating pains and enhancing the power of restoring human energy in patients with cancer. He mentioned the limitation of the treatments using “a theory of pathogenesis (modern medicine)” and the importance of the treatments using “a theory of salutogenesis (traditional medicine)”, and emphasized the necessity of acupuncture treatments as well as supplemental agents, and the importance of psychological approaches toward the mind of patients.<BR>In this symposium, the efficacy of acupuncture treatments as palliative cares was indicated. Although there are few convincing evidences, the efficacy of acupuncture treatments as one of treatment methods for cancer may be demonstrated. Further integrative researches on the efficacy of acupuncture in patients with cancer are needed.

Relationship between Stress and Biomarkers / 한국역학회지

Stress can induce modifications in the central nervous(CNS), autonomic nervous and neuroendocrine system. Thus, the stress response has long been measured in laboratory experiments by biochemical changes in the hormone systems that are referred to as the sympathetic nervous system(SNS) and pituitary-adrenocortical axes(HPA). These axes react to acute stress or chronic stress. The activation of these two particular pathways result in elevated serum levels of catecholamines, cortisol, ACTH, dopamine, and others hormones. But there is considerable debate about the relevance of traditional laboratory stress findings to real-life situation. The neurobiology of stress is a key step to the understanding of stress-induced changes of immune functions. The immune system operates in communication with brain and endocrine system. Because of this extensive communication, the immune system can influence how we feel and behave. The stress are associated with endocrine and autonomic changes that can inhibit immune system function. The concept of neurocardiology renders plausible the various theoretical constructs of stress as they relate to circulatory vascular disease. Detailed reviews of the anatomic connections between the brain and the heart and of experimental and clinical data on the role of the CNS in cardiac dysfunction can be found elsewhere. In this study, we reviewed that stress was associated with cardiovascular disease mortality through the known cardiovascular risk factors(hypertension, heart rate variability, homocycteine, and clotting system).