Biological mechanisms underlying the liver's regulation of emotions in women: A study using the Trier Social Stress Test

• Main Authors: Yu Wei, Tianfang Wang, Hao Wu, Yamei Huang, Mengying Wu, Min Zheng, Renlai Zhou, Qingguo Wang, Yan Zhao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2018-04-01
• Series: Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095754817301709

Objective: Research on the biological mechanisms by which the liver controls dispersion and regulates emotion usually focuses on psychological stress. This study investigated the biological mechanisms underlying the liver's regulation of emotion using the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). Differences in subjective stress, subjective emotion, and physiological responses were examined between healthy women (Group A) and depressed women with liver qi stagnation syndrome (Group B). Method: Subjects were 72 women who met the inclusion criteria after physical examination. The EPQ-RSC, BAI, and BDI-21 were used to assess personality and emotion. Subjects completed a 5-point scale to measure subjective stress. Heart rate and heart rate variability were measured. To measure changes in activity of the locus coeruleus–norepinephrine (LC-NE)/autonomic nervous system and the HPA axis, saliva samples were collected at the end of the rest and preparation periods, and 5 time pionts after the TSST task. The PAD Emotion Scale was completed at 4 time points before and after the TSST task. Saliva cortisol was tested. These indexes were compared between the two groups. Results: There were 33 subjects in Group A and 39 subjects in Group B. Subjects in Group B had lower levels of stress, pleasure, and dominance, but higher arousal (after the task: P < .05). They also had higher saliva cortisol levels, slower heart rate, higher BVP, and more stable RMSSD and SDNN. Conclusion: In relation to mood, the liver's regulation of emotion mainly affects negative emotional experience and the sense of control. Regarding the biological mechanisms underlying the liver's regulation of emotion, the activity of the LC-NE/autonomic nervous system in women is more obvious in response to psychological stress when the dispersion of the liver is normal. The activity of the HPA axis in women is more obvious in response to psychological stress when the dispersion of the liver is abnormal. Keywords: Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), Liver regulates emotions, Stress