Hair cortisol, obesity and the immune system: Results from a 3 year longitudinal study

Eline S. van der Valk; Bibian van der Voorn; Anand M. Iyer; Mostafa Mohseni; Pieter J.M. Leenen; Willem A. Dik; Sjoerd A.A. van den Berg; Yolanda B. de Rijke; Erica L.T. van den Akker; Brenda W.J.H. Penninx; Elisabeth F.C. van Rossum

doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105422

Hair cortisol, obesity and the immune system: Results from a 3 year longitudinal study

Eline S. van der Valk, Bibian van der Voorn, Anand M. Iyer, Mostafa Mohseni, Pieter J.M. Leenen, Willem A. Dik, Sjoerd A.A. van den Berg, Yolanda B. de Rijke, Erica L.T. van den Akker, Brenda W.J.H. Penninx, Elisabeth F.C. van Rossum^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objectives: Higher long-term glucocorticoid levels, measured in scalp hair (HairGC), are associated with obesity. This may represent the state of obesity (perhaps interrelated with chronic immune activation), but could also promote further weight gain. We studied whether hair cortisol (HairF) and hair cortisone (HairE) predict changes in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) over time, and assessed the association between HairGC and common immune parameters. Methods: We measured HairGC in 1604 participants of the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA), and investigated their associations to BMI, WC, and immune parameters (interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and leukocyte subsets). Also, we assessed whether baseline HairGC predict changes in BMI and WC at follow-up (three years later). Results: In cross-sectional analyses, HairF and HairE were positively associated to BMI (β = 2.06 kg/m², 95% confidence interval (CI)= 1.22–2.90 kg/m²) and β = 2.84 kg/m² (95%CI 1.75–3.93 kg/m²) respectively) and WC (β = 5.36 cm (95%CI 3.09–7.62 cm) and β = 8.54 cm (95%CI 5.60–11.48 cm) respectively, all p < 0.001). HairF was also positively associated to IL-6 (β = 0.15 (95%CI 0.003–0.292) p < 0.05) and leukocyte count (β = 0.57 (95%CI 0.234–0.909), p < 0.01), and HairE to IL-6 (β = 0.21 (95%CI 0.016–0.399), p < 0.05). In the longitudinal analyses, higher HairF was associated with yearly increases in BMI (β = 0.58% BMI change per year (95%CI 0.14–1.01%), p = 0.009) and higher HairE with increases in WC (β = 0.84% WC change per year (95%CI 0.02–1.69%), p = 0.049). Adjusting for baseline IL-6 or leukocytes did not change the found associations between HairGC and WC or BMI change. Conclusions: HairGC levels are positively associated to BMI, WC, IL-6 and leukocyte numbers in cross-sectional analyses, and to increases in BMI and WC in longitudinal analyses. Although causality is yet to be proven, higher long-term glucocorticoid levels could represent a relevant risk factor for the development of obesity.

Original language	English
Article number	105422
Journal	Psychoneuroendocrinology
Volume	134
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105422
Publication status	Published - Dec 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The infrastructure for the NESDA study ( www.nesda.nl ) is funded through the Geestkracht program of the Netherlands Organisation forHealth Research and Development (ZonMw, grant number 10–000-1002) and financial contributions by participating universities and mental health care organizations (Amsterdam University MedicalCenters (location VUmc), GGZ inGeest, Leiden University MedicalCenter, Leiden University, GGZ Rivierduinen, University MedicalCenter Groningen, University of Groningen, Lentis, GGZ Friesland, GGZDrenthe, Rob Giel Onderzoekscentrum).

Funding Information:
Elisabeth Foundation; Netherlands Organization of Scientific Research NWO , Vidi Grant/ Award Number: 91716453 .

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021

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van der Valk, E. S., van der Voorn, B., Iyer, A. M., Mohseni, M., Leenen, P. J. M., Dik, W. A., van den Berg, S. A. A., de Rijke, Y. B., van den Akker, E. L. T., Penninx, B. W. J. H., & van Rossum, E. F. C. (2021). Hair cortisol, obesity and the immune system: Results from a 3 year longitudinal study. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 134, Article 105422. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105422

@article{56772d8ebee7464f95a702b1f952f217,

title = "Hair cortisol, obesity and the immune system: Results from a 3 year longitudinal study",

abstract = "Objectives: Higher long-term glucocorticoid levels, measured in scalp hair (HairGC), are associated with obesity. This may represent the state of obesity (perhaps interrelated with chronic immune activation), but could also promote further weight gain. We studied whether hair cortisol (HairF) and hair cortisone (HairE) predict changes in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) over time, and assessed the association between HairGC and common immune parameters. Methods: We measured HairGC in 1604 participants of the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA), and investigated their associations to BMI, WC, and immune parameters (interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and leukocyte subsets). Also, we assessed whether baseline HairGC predict changes in BMI and WC at follow-up (three years later). Results: In cross-sectional analyses, HairF and HairE were positively associated to BMI (β = 2.06 kg/m2, 95% confidence interval (CI)= 1.22–2.90 kg/m2) and β = 2.84 kg/m2 (95%CI 1.75–3.93 kg/m2) respectively) and WC (β = 5.36 cm (95%CI 3.09–7.62 cm) and β = 8.54 cm (95%CI 5.60–11.48 cm) respectively, all p < 0.001). HairF was also positively associated to IL-6 (β = 0.15 (95%CI 0.003–0.292) p < 0.05) and leukocyte count (β = 0.57 (95%CI 0.234–0.909), p < 0.01), and HairE to IL-6 (β = 0.21 (95%CI 0.016–0.399), p < 0.05). In the longitudinal analyses, higher HairF was associated with yearly increases in BMI (β = 0.58% BMI change per year (95%CI 0.14–1.01%), p = 0.009) and higher HairE with increases in WC (β = 0.84% WC change per year (95%CI 0.02–1.69%), p = 0.049). Adjusting for baseline IL-6 or leukocytes did not change the found associations between HairGC and WC or BMI change. Conclusions: HairGC levels are positively associated to BMI, WC, IL-6 and leukocyte numbers in cross-sectional analyses, and to increases in BMI and WC in longitudinal analyses. Although causality is yet to be proven, higher long-term glucocorticoid levels could represent a relevant risk factor for the development of obesity.",

author = "{van der Valk}, {Eline S.} and {van der Voorn}, Bibian and Iyer, {Anand M.} and Mostafa Mohseni and Leenen, {Pieter J.M.} and Dik, {Willem A.} and {van den Berg}, {Sjoerd A.A.} and {de Rijke}, {Yolanda B.} and {van den Akker}, {Erica L.T.} and Penninx, {Brenda W.J.H.} and {van Rossum}, {Elisabeth F.C.}",

note = "Funding Information: The infrastructure for the NESDA study ( www.nesda.nl ) is funded through the Geestkracht program of the Netherlands Organisation forHealth Research and Development (ZonMw, grant number 10–000-1002) and financial contributions by participating universities and mental health care organizations (Amsterdam University MedicalCenters (location VUmc), GGZ inGeest, Leiden University MedicalCenter, Leiden University, GGZ Rivierduinen, University MedicalCenter Groningen, University of Groningen, Lentis, GGZ Friesland, GGZDrenthe, Rob Giel Onderzoekscentrum). Funding Information: Elisabeth Foundation; Netherlands Organization of Scientific Research NWO , Vidi Grant/ Award Number: 91716453 . Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2021",

year = "2021",

month = dec,

doi = "10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105422",

language = "English",

volume = "134",

journal = "Psychoneuroendocrinology",

issn = "0306-4530",

publisher = "Elsevier Ltd.",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Hair cortisol, obesity and the immune system

T2 - Results from a 3 year longitudinal study

AU - van der Valk, Eline S.

AU - van der Voorn, Bibian

AU - Iyer, Anand M.

AU - Mohseni, Mostafa

AU - Leenen, Pieter J.M.

AU - Dik, Willem A.

AU - van den Berg, Sjoerd A.A.

AU - de Rijke, Yolanda B.

AU - van den Akker, Erica L.T.

AU - Penninx, Brenda W.J.H.

AU - van Rossum, Elisabeth F.C.

N1 - Funding Information: The infrastructure for the NESDA study ( www.nesda.nl ) is funded through the Geestkracht program of the Netherlands Organisation forHealth Research and Development (ZonMw, grant number 10–000-1002) and financial contributions by participating universities and mental health care organizations (Amsterdam University MedicalCenters (location VUmc), GGZ inGeest, Leiden University MedicalCenter, Leiden University, GGZ Rivierduinen, University MedicalCenter Groningen, University of Groningen, Lentis, GGZ Friesland, GGZDrenthe, Rob Giel Onderzoekscentrum). Funding Information: Elisabeth Foundation; Netherlands Organization of Scientific Research NWO , Vidi Grant/ Award Number: 91716453 . Publisher Copyright: © 2021

PY - 2021/12

Y1 - 2021/12

N2 - Objectives: Higher long-term glucocorticoid levels, measured in scalp hair (HairGC), are associated with obesity. This may represent the state of obesity (perhaps interrelated with chronic immune activation), but could also promote further weight gain. We studied whether hair cortisol (HairF) and hair cortisone (HairE) predict changes in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) over time, and assessed the association between HairGC and common immune parameters. Methods: We measured HairGC in 1604 participants of the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA), and investigated their associations to BMI, WC, and immune parameters (interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and leukocyte subsets). Also, we assessed whether baseline HairGC predict changes in BMI and WC at follow-up (three years later). Results: In cross-sectional analyses, HairF and HairE were positively associated to BMI (β = 2.06 kg/m2, 95% confidence interval (CI)= 1.22–2.90 kg/m2) and β = 2.84 kg/m2 (95%CI 1.75–3.93 kg/m2) respectively) and WC (β = 5.36 cm (95%CI 3.09–7.62 cm) and β = 8.54 cm (95%CI 5.60–11.48 cm) respectively, all p < 0.001). HairF was also positively associated to IL-6 (β = 0.15 (95%CI 0.003–0.292) p < 0.05) and leukocyte count (β = 0.57 (95%CI 0.234–0.909), p < 0.01), and HairE to IL-6 (β = 0.21 (95%CI 0.016–0.399), p < 0.05). In the longitudinal analyses, higher HairF was associated with yearly increases in BMI (β = 0.58% BMI change per year (95%CI 0.14–1.01%), p = 0.009) and higher HairE with increases in WC (β = 0.84% WC change per year (95%CI 0.02–1.69%), p = 0.049). Adjusting for baseline IL-6 or leukocytes did not change the found associations between HairGC and WC or BMI change. Conclusions: HairGC levels are positively associated to BMI, WC, IL-6 and leukocyte numbers in cross-sectional analyses, and to increases in BMI and WC in longitudinal analyses. Although causality is yet to be proven, higher long-term glucocorticoid levels could represent a relevant risk factor for the development of obesity.

AB - Objectives: Higher long-term glucocorticoid levels, measured in scalp hair (HairGC), are associated with obesity. This may represent the state of obesity (perhaps interrelated with chronic immune activation), but could also promote further weight gain. We studied whether hair cortisol (HairF) and hair cortisone (HairE) predict changes in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) over time, and assessed the association between HairGC and common immune parameters. Methods: We measured HairGC in 1604 participants of the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA), and investigated their associations to BMI, WC, and immune parameters (interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and leukocyte subsets). Also, we assessed whether baseline HairGC predict changes in BMI and WC at follow-up (three years later). Results: In cross-sectional analyses, HairF and HairE were positively associated to BMI (β = 2.06 kg/m2, 95% confidence interval (CI)= 1.22–2.90 kg/m2) and β = 2.84 kg/m2 (95%CI 1.75–3.93 kg/m2) respectively) and WC (β = 5.36 cm (95%CI 3.09–7.62 cm) and β = 8.54 cm (95%CI 5.60–11.48 cm) respectively, all p < 0.001). HairF was also positively associated to IL-6 (β = 0.15 (95%CI 0.003–0.292) p < 0.05) and leukocyte count (β = 0.57 (95%CI 0.234–0.909), p < 0.01), and HairE to IL-6 (β = 0.21 (95%CI 0.016–0.399), p < 0.05). In the longitudinal analyses, higher HairF was associated with yearly increases in BMI (β = 0.58% BMI change per year (95%CI 0.14–1.01%), p = 0.009) and higher HairE with increases in WC (β = 0.84% WC change per year (95%CI 0.02–1.69%), p = 0.049). Adjusting for baseline IL-6 or leukocytes did not change the found associations between HairGC and WC or BMI change. Conclusions: HairGC levels are positively associated to BMI, WC, IL-6 and leukocyte numbers in cross-sectional analyses, and to increases in BMI and WC in longitudinal analyses. Although causality is yet to be proven, higher long-term glucocorticoid levels could represent a relevant risk factor for the development of obesity.

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U2 - 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105422

DO - 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105422

M3 - Article

C2 - 34666286

AN - SCOPUS:85117202853

SN - 0306-4530

VL - 134

JO - Psychoneuroendocrinology

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ER -

Hair cortisol, obesity and the immune system: Results from a 3 year longitudinal study

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