ISSN:
1365-2826
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Acute hypercapnia was studied to assess its potential as a noninvasive and simple test for evoking neuroendocrine, cardiovascular and psychological responses to stress in man. A single breath of four concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2), 5%, 25%, 35% and 50%, was administered to nine healthy volunteers in a randomized, single-blind fashion. Although no adverse effects occurred, most subjects were unable to take a full inspired vital capacity breath of 50% CO2. In response to the remaining exposures, subjective and somatic symptoms of anxiety increased in a dose-dependent manner. Unlike 5% and 25% CO2, 35% CO2 stimulated significant adrenocorticotropic hormone and noradrenaline release at 2 min and cortisol and prolactin release at 15 min following inhalation. This same dose also provoked a significant bradycardia that was followed by an acute pressor response. No significant habituation of psychological, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) or cardiovascular responses following 35% CO2 was seen when this dose was repeated after 1 week. A single breath of 35% CO2 safely and reliably produced sympathetic and HPA axis activation and should prove a useful addition to currently available laboratory tests of the human stress response.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.0953-8194.2004.01158.x
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