Abstract
The aim of this research was to explore the relations among premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and changes in densities of plasma cortisol and inflammatory cytokine IL-1β. 9 women from 21 years to 32 years old were recruited. Plasma concentrations of E2, progesterone, ACTH, cortisol, IL-1β and leptin were measured three times per month. Also three types of psychological-emotional test batteries (POMS, Y-G characteristic inventory test and PMS inventory) were studied. Plasma cortisol significantly elevated as the menstruation cycle progressed. Neither POMS nor Y-G scores showed significant correlation between the menstruational cycle. But PMS inventory significantly increased in later half of menstruation process. Subjects were divided into two groups due to the differences between the PMS scores and expected PMS scores from the simple regression to the menstruation process. Subjects who showed higher PMS score-differences after 20th days of menstruation process, were included into group H (n=4) and the subjects who showed lower PMS score-differences after 20th days of menstruation process were divided into group L (n=7). Group H showed significantly (p<0.05) higher IL-1β compared with group L. Also group H showed higher tendency in cortisol and leptin. In the psychological tests, group H showed higher level of depressive tendencies. From these, we suspected that in PMS patients, hyper inflammatory response to the ovulation elevates the IL-1β secretion which activates hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal pathway and elevates cortisol secretion which causes depressive state. And cortisol is said to suppress leptin, so leptin elevates in group H in order to compete with cortisol increase. This process may cause cancellation of inhibition to overeating in PMS patients in pre-menstrual periods. In addition, IL-1β accelerates vasopressin secretion, which may cause premenstrual edema. Dependent associations of inflammatory cytokine around ovulation and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal activation which includes leptin secretion should be considered in PMS patients.
