Frailty is a multidimensional geriatric syndrome of loss of reserves and increased vulnerability to negative health outcomes. Cortisol, the major hormone of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis, and oxidative stress may be influenced by multiple endogenous and environmental factors throughout the lifespan, triggering changes in organism functioning. Association of elevated levels of cortisol and oxidative stress biomarkers with aging and several age-related diseases is well documented. However, the possible role of these factors on frailty status in older adults has not been extensively studied. Hence, the aim of this study was to conduct a cross-sectional study in 252 older adults (≥65 years old) classified according to their frailty status. Plasma cortisol and biomarkers related to oxidative stress including reactive oxygen/nitrogen species, oxidative DNA damage, and total antioxidant capacity were determined in non-frail, pre-frail, and frail subjects. Results showed significantly increasing cortisol concentrations with frailty burden, but no marked association between any oxidative stress biomarker and frailty status. In addition, dependence on activities of daily living and 10-year mortality risk were also correlated with elevated cortisol levels. Current results support the hypothesis that age-related HPA axis dysregulation is associated with frailty status, although further research is necessary to establish the role of cortisol in the pathophysiology of frailty.

中文翻译：

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血清皮质醇而不是氧化应激生物标志物与体弱有关：西班牙老年人的横断面研究结果。

体弱是一种老年性综合症，缺乏储备，对不良健康结果的脆弱性增加。皮质醇是下丘脑垂体肾上腺（HPA）轴的主要激素，氧化应激可能在整个生命周期中受到多种内源性和环境因素的影响，从而触发生物功能的变化。皮质醇和氧化应激生物标志物水平升高与衰老和几种与年龄有关的疾病的关联已得到充分证明。但是，这些因素对老年人体弱状态的可能作用尚未得到广泛研究。因此，本研究的目的是对252名根据其脆弱状态进行分类的老年人（≥65岁）进行横断面研究。在非体弱，体弱和体弱的受试者中测定了血浆皮质醇和与氧化应激有关的生物标记物，包括活性氧/氮物种，氧化性DNA损伤和总抗氧化能力。结果显示，皮质醇浓度显着增加，体弱无力，但任何氧化应激生物标志物与体弱状态之间均无明显关联。此外，对日常生活活动的依赖和10年死亡风险也与皮质醇水平升高有关。目前的结果支持以下假设：与年龄相关的HPA轴失调与体弱状态有关，尽管需要进一步的研究来确定皮质醇在体弱的病理生理中的作用。结果显示，皮质醇浓度显着增加，体弱无力，但任何氧化应激生物标志物与体弱状态之间均无明显关联。此外，对日常生活活动的依赖和10年死亡风险也与皮质醇水平升高有关。目前的结果支持以下假设：与年龄相关的HPA轴失调与体弱状态有关，尽管需要进一步的研究来确定皮质醇在体弱的病理生理中的作用。结果显示，皮质醇浓度显着增加，体弱无力，但任何氧化应激生物标志物与体弱状态之间均无明显关联。此外，对日常生活活动的依赖和10年死亡风险也与皮质醇水平升高有关。目前的结果支持以下假设：与年龄相关的HPA轴失调与体弱状态有关，尽管需要进一步的研究来确定皮质醇在体弱的病理生理中的作用。