Publication date: 2017

DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.07.344

Background: Chernobyl nuclear power plant liquidators suffer from posttraumatic stress syndrome (PTSD). Dysregulation of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis (HPA) has been implicated in PTSD. Diverse hormonal abnormalities are common in Chernobyl clean-up workers. However, the association between HPA alterations and PTSD in these patients has not previously been explored. Methods: 87 Chernobyl nuclear power plant male liquidators and a healthy male control group were employed. HPA status was studied by determining early-morning ACTH and cortisol using the radio immune assay. Furthermore, we used the radio immune assay for DHEA plasma levels estimation. Results: Overall analysis of the PTSD group identified decreased plasma cortisol and lipid/protein oxidation products relative to the control individuals as well to the plasma control individuals. PTSD-related liquidators displayed lower levels of DHEA in comparison to healthy controls, but higher levels in trauma compared with control. Low plasma cortisol levels were associated with elevation of antioxidant enzymes activities. The extent of free radical oxidation was diminished in the PTSD group but not in the trauma control individuals, in which similar plasma levels of lipid/protein oxidation products were determined. Conclusions: Our results suggest the PTSD-related liquidators exhibited disturbance in HPA axis and in DHEA level. Acknowledgements: This work was supported by Act 211 Government of the Russian Federation, contract № 02.A03.21.0011 and by financial support of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation (grant No 17.7255.2017/ВР).

Издатель: PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD, THE BOULEVARD, LANGFORD LANE, KIDLINGTON, OXFORD OX5 1GB, ENGLAND

Тип: Article