Dogs, Mental Stress and the Human Heart: Role of Cortisol and Neuropeptide Y

Authors

  • Devarajan Rathish Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
  • Rajapakse Peramune Vedikkarage Jayanthe Rajapakse Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
  • Kosala Gayan Abeysundara Kosala Gayan Abeysundara Dissanayake Weerakoon Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Saliyapura, Sri Lanka

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31344/ijhhs.v7i1.491

Keywords:

Diabetes mellitus, dogs, dyslipidemia, hypertension, psychological stress

Abstract

Effects of canine companionship on human cardiovascular health have been widely explored and known to be positively related. Nevertheless, the exact mechanisms related to this phenomenon are yet to be unravelled. A high level of cortisol is associated with noncommunicable diseases such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes and dyslipidaemia. Further, dog owners were found to have low cortisol levels. Interestingly neuropeptide Y (NPY), a neurotransmitter released during acute stress, increases cortisol levels. NPY has also been implicated in cardiovascular disease. We hypothesize the role of canine companionship on cardiovascular health via NPY and cortisol in a psycho-neuro-immunoendocrine concept.

International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Vol. 07 No. 01 Jan’22 Page: 15-19

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Published

2023-01-11

How to Cite

Rathish, D., Jayanthe Rajapakse, R. P. V., & Kosala Gayan Abeysundara Dissanayake Weerakoon, K. G. A. (2023). Dogs, Mental Stress and the Human Heart: Role of Cortisol and Neuropeptide Y. International Journal of Human and Health Sciences (IJHHS), 7(1), 15–19. https://doi.org/10.31344/ijhhs.v7i1.491

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 1 (2023)

Section

Review Articles

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Copyright (c) 2023 Devarajan Rathish, Rajapakse Peramune Vedikkarage Jayanthe Rajapakse, Kosala Gayan Abeysundara Dissanayake Weerakoon

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