Effects of acute psychological stress on adhesion molecules, interleukins and sex hormones: implications for coronary heart disease

Rationale: Subjects with high levels of daily stress suffer from an increased risk of coronary heart disease. Increased concentrations of the intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) contribute to atherosclerosis. Cell adhesion molecules may be activated by psychological stress exposure, depending on their interaction with the interleukin network, sex hormones and cortisol secretion. Objectives: To assess effects of acute psychological stress on the interaction between cell adhesion molecules, interleukins, sex hormones and cortisol in healthy male subjects. Methods: Cell adhesion molecules, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta), IL-2, IL-6, sex hormones and cortisol levels of 18 healthy male physicians were measured before and after an academic oral presentation and on a control day. Results: The oral presentation was perceived as a stressful event and was accompanied by a significant increase in cortisol secretion in all volunteers. Soluble ICAM-1 and IL-1beta also increased in all subjects after psychological stress exposure. The stress-associated increase in IL-2 concentrations approached statistical significance and correlated negatively with luteinizing hormone plasma levels. Estradiol concentrations correlated positively with IL-6 levels. Conclusions: Subjective ratings and the increase in cortisol plasma concentrations support the validity of the chosen stress model. Acute stress exposure was followed by an increase in IL-1beta, IL-2 and soluble ICAM-1 plasma concentrations, which can contribute to coronary heart disease and immunological disorders.