School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, West Midlands, B15 2TT, UK.
Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2012 Mar;37(3):341-9. doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2011.07.001. Epub 2011 Jul 29.
The present study examined the relationship between ageing, physical function and the diurnal rhythms of cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Participants were 36 community dwelling older adults aged between 65 and 86 years old. Salivary cortisol and DHEA were measured over the course of one day: immediately upon awakening, 30 min later, and then 3 h, 6 h, 9 h and 12 h post-awakening. Participants completed the Nottingham extended activities of daily living index, the Berg Balance Scale and their handgrip strength was assessed. Older participants had a significantly higher cortisol area under the curve (AUC), lower overall DHEA levels, lower DHEA AUC, a decreased diurnal slope of decline and increased cortisol:DHEA ratio. Lower diurnal cortisol levels were associated with poorer performance on the Berg Balance Scale and lower handgrip strength, and those with a flattened DHEA diurnal profile reported less independence in carrying out daily tasks. These associations withstood adjustment for age. In conclusion, this study suggests an association between cortisol, DHEA, ageing and physical function.
本研究探讨了衰老、身体功能以及皮质醇和脱氢表雄酮（DHEA）的昼夜节律之间的关系。参与者为 36 名年龄在 65 岁至 86 岁之间的社区居住的老年人。在一天的时间内测量唾液皮质醇和 DHEA：醒来后立即、30 分钟后，以及醒来后 3 小时、6 小时、9 小时和 12 小时。参与者完成了诺丁汉扩展日常生活活动指数、伯格平衡量表的评估，并测量了他们的握力。与年轻参与者相比，年龄较大的参与者的皮质醇曲线下面积（AUC）更高，总体 DHEA 水平更低，DHEA AUC 更低，昼夜下降斜率降低，皮质醇：DHEA 比值增加。较低的日间皮质醇水平与 Berg 平衡量表的表现较差和握力较低有关，而 DHEA 昼夜模式平坦的人报告在执行日常任务时独立性较低。这些关联在调整年龄后仍然存在。总之，这项研究表明皮质醇、DHEA、衰老和身体功能之间存在关联。
