A distinct immune cytokine profile is associated with morning cortisol and repeated stress

Authors

  • Rebecca Ryznar, PhD https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9695-712X
  • Anthony LaPorta, MD
  • Spencer Cooper
  • Nicholas Maher
  • Christian Clodfelder, MS, DO
  • Jeffrey Edwards
  • Francina Towne, PhD
  • K. Dean Gubler, DO, MPH

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/ajdm.0468

Keywords:

stress, cytokines, mass casualty, simulation training, immune response

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate possible immune cytokine trends throughout a week-long surgical simulation mass-casualty training session in order to determine the effects of stress inoculation on the immune system.

Methods: Thirty-seven military medical students participated in a hyper-realistic surgical simulation training event conducted at Strategic Operations site in San Diego, California. Salivary samples were collected every morning of the stress training exercise for 4 consecutive days. Cortisol, along with a panel of 42 immune cytokines, was measured using multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays from Eve Technologies. The determined concentrations were averaged and plotted on a scatter plot, and then points were fit to a second-order polynomial trendline of best fit to measure.

Results: The cytokines epidermal growth factor, growth-related oncogene-α, interleukin (IL)-1α, and platelet-derived growth factor-AA followed a noted pattern of cortisol decrease throughout the week. In addition, cytokines IL-27, granulocyte colony stimulating factor, IL-10, and IL-13 demonstrated a late peak, followed by a return to baseline at the conclusion of training. Finally, the cytokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 displayed a decline throughout the week followed by an increase on the last day of stress training.

Conclusions: Altogether, these results help to identify important biomarkers that may help to improve long-term stress adaptation and prevent post-traumatic stress disorder following exposure to repeated stress.

Author Biographies

Rebecca Ryznar, PhD

Associate Professor, Molecular Biology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Parker, Colorado

Anthony LaPorta, MD

Director, Military Medicine Program; Professor, Clinical Surgery, Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Parker, Colorado

Spencer Cooper

Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Parker, Colorado

Nicholas Maher

Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Parker, Colorado

Christian Clodfelder, MS, DO

Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Parker, Colorado

Jeffrey Edwards

Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Parker, Colorado

Francina Towne, PhD

Program Director, Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences Program; Associate Professor of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Parker, Colorado

K. Dean Gubler, DO, MPH

Professor, Surgery and Military Medicine; Director, Military Medicine Program, Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Parker, Colorado

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Published

02/01/2024

How to Cite

Ryznar, R., A. LaPorta, S. Cooper, N. Maher, C. Clodfelder, J. Edwards, F. Towne, and K. D. Gubler. “A Distinct Immune Cytokine Profile Is Associated With Morning Cortisol and Repeated Stress”. American Journal of Disaster Medicine, vol. 19, no. 1, Feb. 2024, pp. 33-43, doi:10.5055/ajdm.0468.

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