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The relation between salivary cortisol and the metabolic syndrome score in girls

  • Katrina D. DuBose EMAIL logo and Andrew J. McKune
Published/Copyright: April 24, 2013

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the relation between salivary cortisol and the metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) score in young girls.

Methods: Twenty-three girls (8.4±0.9 years) had a fasting blood draw to measure high-density lipoprotein (HDL), glucose, and triglyceride concentrations. Waist circumference and blood pressure were also measured. Saliva samples were collected three times (upon waking, 30 min post-waking, and in the evening) at home to measure cortisol levels. A continuous MetSyn score was created from blood pressure, waist circumference, HDL, triglyceride, and glucose values. Correlations examined the unadjusted associations between cortisol values, MetSyn score, and its related components. Regression analysis examined the relation between cortisol values, the MetSyn score, and its related components adjusting for breast development.

Results: The MetSyn score was not related with cortisol values; however, HDL was negatively related with 30-min post-waking, evening, and area under the curve cortisol levels. Triglycerides were positively related to the 30-min post-waking and area under the curve values. These relations existed after adjusting for breast development.

Conclusion: While the MetSyn score was not related, specific MetSyn components were related to salivary cortisol levels. Cortisol may be involved in the development of some MetSyn components.


Corresponding author: Katrina D. DuBose, PhD, FACSM, Department of Kinesiology, East Carolina University, 174 Minges Coliseum, Mail Stop 559, Greenville, NC 27858-4353, USA, Phone: +252-328-1599, Fax: +252-328-4654, E-mail: ; and East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA

This study was funded by the Department of Kinesiology, East Carolina University (K.D. DuBose).

Conflict of interests statement:

The authors declare no conflict of interests.

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Received: 2012-12-21
Accepted: 2013-3-7
Published Online: 2013-04-24
Published in Print: 2013-10-01

©2013 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin Boston

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