PATTERNS OF CORTISOL AND ADRENALINE VARIATION IN AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES OF THE KIMBERLEY REGION

Urinary cortisol and adrenaline excretion rates were measured in three Australian Aboriginal communities in the Kimberley region in the nort h-west of the country. The three communities, Derby, Kalumburu and Kup ungarri, differ in size and remoteness and some lifestyle parameters. Cortisol excretion rate is associated with age and urine flow rate, bu t there is no association with smoking or the consumption of alcohol. All three communities show very cortisol excretion rates compared to a sample of UK (Oxford) residents and there are also differences betwee n the three communities. Adrenaline excretion rate also shows associat ions with age and urine flow rate, but not with smoking. Aboriginal pe ople in the Kimberley region excrete adrenaline at a slightly higher r ate than that found in Oxford, which itself is high by world standards . There are no marked differences between communities in their adrenal ine excretion rates. Alcohol drinkers in Derby, where alcohol is freel y available, have higher adrenaline output than non-drinkers.