Effects of woodland walking on salivary stress markers cortisol and chromogranin A.

OBJECTIVE We investigated the effect of walking through woodland on salivary endocrinological stress markers, cortisol and chromogranin A (CgA). DESIGN From 20 healthy males, saliva samples were collected immediately before and after the walk, and 20min and 40min after that. In addition, using visual analog scales, subjective perceptions of stress and of feeling tired and uplifted were evaluated. On another day, as a control, they sat around in their office and samples were collected at the same times. Salivary cortisol and CgA levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS Samples taken after the walk showed a significant increase in the levels of CgA. Meanwhile, there was no significant change in the levels of cortisol. In control samples, there was a statistically significant decrease in the levels of both CgA and cortisol. Feelings uplifted and tired increased and subjective perception of stress decreased significantly after the walk. During the control period, there were no such changes. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that, while walking in woodland becomes a physical stressor, such activity may also bring about feeling uplifted.

[1]  R. Fischer‐Colbrie,et al.  The chromogranins A and B: The first 25 years and future perspectives , 1992, Neuroscience.

[2]  N. Kirshner,et al.  A specific soluble protein from the catecholamine storage vesicles of bovine adrenal medulla. II. Physical characterization. , 1969, Biochimica et biophysica acta.

[3]  M. Toda,et al.  Change in salivary physiological stress markers by spa bathing. , 2006, Biomedical research.

[4]  N. Kirshner,et al.  A specific soluble protein from the catecholamine storage vesicles of bovine adrenal medulla. I. Purification and chemical characterization. , 1967, Molecular pharmacology.

[5]  M. Kerkhofs,et al.  Neuroendocrine rhythms and sleep in aging men. , 1991, The American journal of physiology.

[6]  Y. Ohtsuka,et al.  Shinrin-yoku (forest-air bathing and walking) effectively decreases blood glucose levels in diabetic patients , 1998, International journal of biometeorology.

[7]  C. Kirschbaum,et al.  Salivary cortisol in psychoneuroendocrine research: Recent developments and applications , 1994, Psychoneuroendocrinology.

[8]  P. Izzicupo,et al.  Salivary chromogranin A, but not α‐amylase, correlates with cardiovascular parameters during high‐intensity exercise , 2011, Clinical endocrinology.

[9]  K. Tsukinoki,et al.  Expression and Localization of Chromogranin A Gene and Protein in Human Submandibular Gland , 2005, Cells Tissues Organs.

[10]  Daniel Tranel,et al.  Circadian regulation of cortisol after hippocampal damage in humans , 2004, Biological Psychiatry.

[11]  Hidetoshi Kobayashi,et al.  Medical Assessment of the Health Effects of Short Leisure Trips , 2004, Archives of environmental health.

[12]  M. Toda,et al.  Relationship Between Lifestyle Scores and Salivary Stress Markers Cortisol and Chromogranin A , 2005, Archives of environmental & occupational health.

[13]  M. Toda,et al.  Effect of laughter on salivary endocrinological stress marker chromogranin A. , 2007, Biomedical research.

[14]  A. Hackney,et al.  Exercise and circulating Cortisol levels: The intensity threshold effect , 2008, Journal of endocrinological investigation.

[15]  C. Kirschbaum,et al.  Free cortisol levels after awakening: a reliable biological marker for the assessment of adrenocortical activity. , 1997, Life sciences.

[16]  F. Espíndola,et al.  Determination of the lactate threshold by means of salivary biomarkers: chromogranin A as novel marker of exercise intensity , 2012, European Journal of Applied Physiology.

[17]  Y. Miyazaki,et al.  Physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the atmosphere of the forest) in an old-growth broadleaf forest in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. , 2007, Journal of physiological anthropology.

[18]  Yoshifumi Miyazaki,et al.  Physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the atmosphere of the forest)--using salivary cortisol and cerebral activity as indicators. , 2007, Journal of physiological anthropology.

[19]  Yoshifumi Miyazaki,et al.  The physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing): evidence from field experiments in 24 forests across Japan , 2010, Environmental health and preventive medicine.

[20]  Hideki Ohira,et al.  Effect of negative air ions on computer operation, anxiety and salivary chromogranin A-like immunoreactivity. , 2002, International journal of psychophysiology : official journal of the International Organization of Psychophysiology.

[21]  T. Kanno,et al.  SALIVARY CHROMOGRANIN A AS AN INDEX OF PSYCHOSOMATIC STRESS RESPONSE , 1998 .

[22]  A. D. Smith,et al.  Purification and properties of an acidic protein from chromaffin granules of bovine adrenal medulla. , 1967, The Biochemical journal.

[23]  T. Nabika,et al.  EFFECTS OF PHYTONCIDES ON BLOOD PRESSURE UNDER RESTRAINT STRESS IN SHRSP , 2004, Clinical and experimental pharmacology & physiology.

[24]  C. Kirschbaum,et al.  Salivary cortisol in psychobiological research: an overview. , 1989, Neuropsychobiology.

[25]  M. Shimada,et al.  Determination of salivary cortisol by ELISA and its application to the assessment of the circadian rhythm in children. , 1995, Hormone research.

[26]  A. Krensky,et al.  Phytoncides (Wood Essential Oils) Induce Human Natural Killer Cell Activity , 2006, Immunopharmacology and immunotoxicology.

[27]  D J Kupfer,et al.  Effects of gender and age on the levels and circadian rhythmicity of plasma cortisol. , 1996, The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism.

[28]  M. Toda,et al.  Effect of snack eating on sensitive salivary stress markers cortisol and chromogranin A , 2004, Environmental health and preventive medicine.