Key result
Acute psychosocial stress induced a temporary increase in CRP levels, which was positively associated with ACTH, cortisol, and BMI, with larger increases seen in overweight individuals.
Why the study?
Psychosocial stress has been suggested to contribute to low-grade inflammation, but whether acute psychosocial stress alters CRP levels and relates to general stress activation or BMI in healthy adults is unclear.
Does acute psychosocial stress increase serum CRP levels in healthy men and women?
Observational (n=49)
Does acute psychosocial stress increase serum CRP levels in healthy men and women?
Acute psychosocial stress induces a temporary increase in CRP levels, particularly in overweight individuals, suggesting a mechanism linking stress to low-grade inflammation and adverse health outcomes.
Acute stress may transiently raise CRP, especially with higher BMI; leaves open links to chronic inflammation and CV outcomes.
BACKGROUND: Psychosocial stress has been suggested to contribute to low-grade inflammation, which in turn can, if persisting, increase the risk of developing a wide range of chronic disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the level of CRP in response to acute psychosocial stress in healthy men and women, whether the responses related to general stress activation. Since it is known that CRP level in general is associated with BMI, we also aimed to investigate whether CRP response during acute stress is related to BMI and overweight. METHOD: Thirty men and 19 women, aged 30-50 years (mean age 39 years, SD 5.6 years), were included in the study. The participants underwent the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), and CRP was measured in serum together with measurements of general stress activation. RESULTS: CRP levels slightly and temporarily increased in response to acute psychosocial stress. CRP response was positively related to the response of ACTH and cortisol. The CRP response was also positively associated with BMI and the overweight individuals exhibited a larger stress-induced CRP increase. CONCLUSION: The results support the idea that stress may contribute to low-grade inflammation, which in turn can constitute one important pathogenic link between stress and adverse health, especially in overweight individuals.
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Lennartsson et al. (2025) conducted an observational in Healthy (n=49). Acute psychosocial stress (Trier Social Stress Test) was evaluated on CRP level response. Acute psychosocial stress induced a temporary increase in CRP levels, which was positively associated with ACTH, cortisol, and BMI, with larger increases seen in overweight individuals.
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