Multi-systemic evaluation of biological and emotional responses to the Trier Social Stress Test: A meta-analysis and systematic review.

Humans experience multiple biological and emotional changes under acute stress. Adopting a multi-systemic approach, we summarized 61 studies on healthy people's endocrinological, physiological, immunological and emotional responses to the Trier Social Stress Test. We found salivary cortisol and negative mood states were the most sensitive markers to acute stress and recovery. Biomarkers such as heart rate and salivary alpha-amylase also showed sensitivity to acute stress, but the numbers of studies were small. Other endocrinological (e.g., dehydroepiandrosterone), inflammatory (C-Reactive Protein, Interleukin-6) and physiological (e.g., skin conductance level) measures received modest support as acute stress markers. Salivary cortisol showed some associations with mood measures (e.g., state anxiety) during acute stress and recovery, and heart rate showed preliminary positive relationship with calmness ratings during response to TSST, but the overall evidence was mixed. While further research is needed, these findings provide updated and comprehensive knowledge on the integrated psychobiological response profiles to TSST.

Do concordances of social support and relationship quality predict psychological distress and well-being of cancer patients and caregivers?

This study examined concordances of cancer patients' received and caregivers' provided support and dyadic relationship quality, and their predictive utility in prospective psychological distress and well-being. A total of 83 Chinese cancer patient-caregiver dyads were recruited in two government-funded hospitals in Hong Kong. Participants reported received (patient)/provided (caregiver) emotional and instrumental support and dyadic relationship quality within 6 months after diagnosis (T1), and anxiety and depressive symptoms, positive affect and life satisfaction at both T1 and 6-month follow-up (T2). We hypothesised that concordances at T1 would predict lower psychological distress and higher psychological well-being among both patients and caregivers at T2. Concordances were indicated by Gwet's AC2 scores (possible range = -1.00 to 1.00) and as follows: emotional support: M = 0.92, SD = 0.12, range = 0.25-1.00; instrumental support: M = 0.92, SD = 0.16, range = 0.08-1.00; and relationship quality: M = 0.63, SD = 0.27, range = -0.31 to 1.00. Hierarchical multiple regressions revealed that T1 concordances of perceived emotional and instrumental support and dyadic relationship quality positively predicted T2 anxiety symptoms [F(9, 74) = 6.725, ∆R2  = .031, p < .001)] and state positive affect [F(9, 74) = 3.436, ∆R2  = .042, p = .001)], whereas inversely predicted T2 depressive symptoms [F(9, 74) = 4.189, ∆R2  = .042, p < .01)]. Significant associations were found only among caregivers, but not patients.

Mesenchymal stem cells treated with rat pancreatic extract secrete cytokines that improve the glycometabolism of diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) under favorable conditions secrete a spectrum of cytokines that promote the survival of surrounding cells via paracrine mechanisms. We explored the impact of rat pancreatic extract (RPE) on cytokine secretion by MSCs and examined the influence of administration of conditioned media of MSCs treated with RPE on blood glucose levels in diabetic rats. METHODS: Cytokine levels (IGF-1, VEGF, bFGF) in conditioned media of MSCs treated with RPE were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. We estimated blood glucose levels of STZ-induced diabetic rats following intraperitoneal injection of conditioned media from RPE-treated MSCs. We analyzed histopathology of pancreatic islets by insulin immunostaining and apoptosis through a TUNEL assay. RESULTS: Levels of IGF-1, VEGF, and bFGF were significantly increased in RPE-CM compared with control media. Administration of conditioned media of RPE-treated MSCs significantly lowered the blood glucose levels of diabetic rats. After RPE treatment the insulin-positive area was increased and apoptosis of pancreatic beta cells decreased. CONCLUSION: RPE enhanced the secretion of cytokines by MSCs. MSCs in the pancreatic microenvironment may exert indirect salutary effects via paracrine mediators on injured pancreatic cells in an STZ-induced diabetic animal model. The secreted factors may exert their therapeutic benefits by preventing apoptosis of pancreatic beta cells.