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Abstract
The pathophysiological features of the relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) remain an active area of research. Exposure to traumatic life events has serious negative consequences for functioning physiological systems, including the endocrine and autonomic nervous systems (ANS). Dysregulation of the ANS may be associated with pathophysiological and psychological features of PTSD. In particular, the ANS dysfunction is observed in various psychological disorders, including PTSD. Recently, considerable attention has been paid to searching and elucidating the features of the relationship between metabolic dysfunctions and mental disorders, in particular PTSD, which may constitute a risk group for MetS. PTSD and MetS may have similar underlying biological mechanisms. It is likely that changes in the inflammatory and neuroendocrine systems are associated with PTSD. However, it is unclear whether these links are causal. In addition, the biological and behavioral mechanisms underlying these associations are not well understood. A plausible hypothesis is that dysfunctional individual adaptation to stress may increase vulnerability to metabolic dysfunctions, which, in turn, may contribute to the emergence of psychopathological changes in the post-traumatic period. The approach to PTSD and MetS as systemic conditions involving dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, chronic low-grade inflammation, insulin resistance, the sympathoadrenal system, other metabolic disorders, and changes in the
ANS, is also significant a psychological burden, that has important consequences in terms of medical problems and disease prognosis. Further research is needed to test new diagnostic methods targeting the neuroendocrine and immune-metabolic systems. This review aims to discuss the meaning and features of PTSD and MetS. Particular attention is paid to describing the current evidence from epidemiological, experimental, and clinical trials and their relationships. The issues of common pathogenetic links of PTSD and
MetS are considered, in particular, the significance of dysfunctional disorders of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, chronic lowgrade inflammation, insulin resistance, sympatho-adrenal system and ANS.
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