Mitochondrial Function as Related to Psychological Distress in Health Care Professionals

Objective The present study evaluated the association of psychological distress and radiation exposure as a work-related stressor with mitochondrial function in health care professionals. Methods Health care professionals at a regional hospital in Italy were evaluated for physical health and psychological measures using self-report questionnaires (n = 41; mean age = 47.6 [13.1] years; 66% women). In a second sample, individuals exposed to elevated levels of ionizing radiation (IR; likely effective dose exceeding 6 mSv/y; n = 63, mean age = 45.8 [8.8] years; 62% women) were compared with health care workers with low IR (n = 57; mean age = 47.2 [9.5] years; 65% women) because exposure to a toxic agent might act as a (work-related) stressor. Associations were examined between psychological factors (12-item General Health Questionnaire, Perceived Stress Scale), work ability (Work Ability Index), and IR exposure at the workplace with markers of mitochondrial function, including mitochondrial redox activity, mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number, biogenesis, and mtDNA damage response measured from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Results All participants were in good physical health. Individuals reporting high levels of psychological distress showed lower mitochondrial biogenesis as indicated by peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-γ coactivator 1-α and lower nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (NRF2) expres...
Source: Psychosomatic Medicine - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLES Source Type: research