The effect of caffeine on serum DHEA-S levels after an acute stressor in individuals with a family history of hypertension
Open Access
Author:
Sandirasegarane, Sharmila
Area of Honors:
Biobehavioral Health
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Dr. Laura Cousino Klein, Thesis Supervisor David John Vandenbergh, Thesis Honors Advisor Sheila Grace West, Faculty Reader
Keywords:
DHEA-S DHEA cortisol stress caffeine serum hormone hypertension family history healthy HPA axis TSST
Abstract:
The levels of the hormone dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) after an acute stressor were evaluated to assess the interaction with caffeine. DHEA-S has been hypothesized to be involved in protective actions that oppose the physiological tolls typically associated with the stress hormone, cortisol. Although caffeine use is ubiquitous in the United States, the health effects of caffeine intake are not well understood. Serum DHEA-S levels in response to stressor and caffeine exposure has not been studied. We examined the influence of caffeine and stress on serum DHEA-S levels in 26 men and 26 women (aged 18-29 years) with a confirmed family history of hypertension, which placed them at particular risk of the health consequences of caffeine exposure under stress. After half of the participants were administered 3 mg/kg caffeine or placebo, all participants underwent a lab-based stressor. Serum DHEA-S levels were measured before and 2 times after the stressor. Stress and caffeine interacted with sex such that caffeine exposure reduced serum DHEA-S levels in women but not men. These findings support a growing body of research that suggests that women with a family history of hypertension may be particularly vulnerable to the health consequences of caffeine exposure in the presence of stress.
