Cited by 128Stress Responses and CortisolAdrenal Hormones and DisordersAtherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Diseases

Inflammation and cortisol response in coronary artery disease

Open access
Nijm, Johnny, Jonasson, Lena·2009·Annals of Medicine

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is characterized by chronic inflammation involving autoimmune components. The degree of inflammatory activity, as detectable both within the atherosclerotic plaque and in the circulation, is associated with plaque destabilization and atherothrombotic complications. Endogenous glucocorticoids are modulators of innate and acquired immune responses, and as such play a key role in the reciprocal interaction between neuroendocrine and immune systems. Abnormalities in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) function have been described in several chronic inflammatory disorders, and evidence has emerged lately that HPA dysfunction may be implicated also in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease. This review is an outline of knowledge gained so far by previous studies of glucocorticoids in coronary atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction. The results consistently point towards a dysregulated cortisol secretion that may involve a failure to contain inflammatory activity. A dysfunctional HPA axis and its possible implications for coronary artery disease progress, including the hypothetical link between stress and inflammation, are discussed.

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Crossref · 10.1080/07853890802508934

Cites

282 of 282 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Chronic conditions such as coronary artery disease, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, Major Depressive Disorder, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder are associated with abnormally high cortisol levels and metabolic disruptions.

    “chronic conditions such as coronary artery disease, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and mood disorders such as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) have also been associated with abnormally high CORT levels and metabolic disruptions ( 5-13 ).”
  • In hypercortisolism, cortisol levels are higher than normal and in some cases display abnormal rhythmicity, varying by underlying condition.

    “in hypercortisolism, it is not only that CORT levels are higher than normal, but in some cases, they also display abnormal rhythmicity. This varies depending on whether the underlying condition is associated with Cushing's syndrome, depression, PTSD, acute inflammation following major surgery, or chronic inflammatory diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis) ( 2, 5-13, 57-60 ).”
  • Many conditions associated with hypercortisolism are accompanied by disruption of normal glucose metabolism while preserving some degree of cortisol rhythmicity.

    “many of these conditions are accompanied by a disruption of normal glucose metabolism while preserving some degree of CORT rhythmicity.”

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Authors
Nijm, J., & Jonasson, L.
Affiliations
  • Ryhov Hospital Jönköping (SE)
  • Linköping University (SE)
Venue
Annals of Medicine
Published
2009-01
Volume
41
Issue
3
Pages
224-233
ISSN
  • 0785-3890 (ISSN-L)
  • 1365-2060
OpenAlex
W2027066260
Cited by
128
References
282
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 8
FWCI
2.56
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Annals of Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DiVA (Linkoping University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Adrenal Hormones and Disorders
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Diseases
Keywords
coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, inflammation, cortisol, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, glucocorticoids, myocardial infarction, stress, neuroendocrine-immune interaction, plaque destabilization, atherothrombosis
MeSH terms
Coronary Artery Disease, Glucocorticoids, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System, Inflammation, Myocardial Infarction, Pituitary-Adrenal System, Stress, Physiological, Neuroimmunomodulation, Biomarkers, Autoimmunity

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