This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a related Letter to the Editor Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Ehlert, U. Articles by Nater, U. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Ehlert, U. Articles by Nater, U. Related Collections Neuroendocrinology and Pituitary

Salivary -Amylase Levels after Yohimbine Challenge in Healthy Men

Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, CH-8050 Zurich, Switzerland

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Ulrike Ehlert, Ph.D., Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Binzmuehlestrasse 14, CH-8050 Zurich, Switzerland. E-mail: ehlert{at}psychologie.unizh.ch.

Context: We and others have previously shown that standardized psychosocial stress significantly increases salivary -amylase (sAA), but it remains unclear whether sAA reflects autonomic nervous system activation.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess cardiovascular effects and sAA and catecholamine secretion after iv injection of yohimbine.

Design and Setting: We conducted a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study at an academic research unit.

Participants: Thirteen healthy males (aged 20–28 yr) were examined.

Intervention: Participants received iv injection of yohimbine (0.4 µg/kg) or placebo (0.9% NaCl).

Main Outcome Measures: Eight saliva and blood samples were taken before and after injection for the assessment of salivary flow rate and sAA and catecholamine concentrations. In addition, blood pressure, mood, and anxiety were assessed repeatedly.

Results: Yohimbine induced increases of sAA activity and output in comparison to placebo (P = 0.034). Blood pressure (P < 0.001), salivary flow rate (P = 0.007), and catecholamines (P < 0.001) were also significantly increased. No significant correlations between -amylase parameters and catecholamines were observed.

Conclusions: The results indicate that yohimbine administration activates not only autonomic parameters but also sAA via adrenergic mechanisms, suggesting that sAA might be an indirect indicator of the central sympathetic system.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				P. H. Wirtz, S. Elsenbruch, and U. Ehlert RESPONSE Psychosom Med, June 1, 2009; 71(5): 589 - 590. [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Vale Clinical Depression Versus Distress Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: Not Just a Question of Semantics: Response to Fisher et al. Diabetes Care, July 1, 2007; 30(7): e73 - e73. [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Vale Depressive Symptoms, Risk of Stroke and the Stress Response Stroke, June 1, 2007; 38(6): e34 - e34. [Full Text] [PDF]