Glucocorticoid sensitivity in humans-interindividual differences and acute stress effects
Open accessAbstract
The hypothalamus pituitary adrenal (HPA)- axis is one of the major output systems of the neuroendocrine stress response. Its major end products, glucocorticoids (GCs), have a plethora of effects throughout the organism, most of which are believed to be protective against disturbances of homeostasis. However, negative effects have also been described under specific conditions of hyper- or hypo(re)activity of the HPA axis. Both beneficial and adverse effects of GCs ultimately depend on the target tissue sensitivity to these steroids. Recent findings suggest that GC sensitivity (a) may vary between different target tissues in the same organism, (b) shows large individual differences and (c) can be acutely changed in times of acute stress. In the present review, data are summarized which show differences in GC sensitivities in patients suffering from diverse somatic and psychiatric diseases, as well as chronically stressed individuals. Furthermore, studies are presented that show a rapid modulation of GC sensitivity in response to exercise or psychosocial stress in healthy adults. The response pattern of acute GC sensitivity modulation seems to be influenced by age and sex hormone status of the individual. While the GC signalling cascade may be subject to modulation at several levels, the pathway for acute modulation of GC sensitivity remains to be elucidated.
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Among studies using the TSST, there is some agreement that under stress, cortisol increases are greater in the luteal phase relative to other phases in women not taking oral contraceptives.
“In general, among the studies that used the TSST as a form of mental stress to activate the HPA axis, there seems to be some agreement that when under stress, cortisol increases are greater in the luteal phase relative to the other phases in women who are not taking OC (e.g., Kudielka et al., 2009; Rohleder et al., 2001; Rohleder et al., 2003; Schoof and Wolf, 2009).”
From The relationship between the menstrual cycle and cortisol secretion: Daily and stress-invoked cortisol patterns (2018) · cites this paper as Rohleder et al., 2003
The ‘Impact of Oral Contraceptives on GC Sensitivity’ section reports that the TSST significantly increased free cortisol in unmedicated women studied in the luteal phase. Its comparison is with oral-contraceptive users, not with unmedicated women in other menstrual phases, so it does not support the claimed phase-to-phase difference. (LLM, conf=0.88)
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References 135 · Cited by 118
Research works printed but not linked: 1
- Seckl, J.R. (2000) 11b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases, In: Fink, G., ed, Encyclopedia of stress (Academic Press, San Diego) Vol. 2, pp 413-421.
- Authors
- Rohleder, N., Wolf, J. M., & Kirschbaum, C.
- Affiliations
- Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Rohleder, Nicolas
- Venue
- Stress
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2003-01
- Volume
- 6
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 207-222
- ISSN
- 1025-3890 (ISSN-L)
- 1607-8888
- OpenAlex
- W2137854065
- Cited by
- 118
- References
- 135
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 6
- FWCI
- 2.26
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Stress (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Adrenal Hormones and Disorders
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Estrogen and related hormone effects
- Keywords
- glucocorticoid sensitivity, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, acute stress, individual differences, glucocorticoid signaling, chronic stress, physical activity, psychosocial stress, sex hormones, age differences, glucocorticoid resistance, glucocorticoid excess
- MeSH terms
- Acute Disease, Aging, Animals, Glucocorticoids, Humans, Gonadal Steroid Hormones, Stress, Physiological, Stress, Psychological
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