Salivary chromogranin a as an index of psychosomatic stress response

Chromogranin A (CgA) is a major protein in adrenal chromaffin cells and adr enargic neurons. CgA and catecholamines are co-released into extra-cellular environment. We measured changes in the concentrations of CgA-like immunor eactivity (CgA-like IR), catecholamines and cortisol in saliva and plasma b y exposure to stress in male volunteers. We found a prompt elevation of sal ivary CgA-like IR level prior to an elevation of salivary cortisol level in psychosomatic stresses (oral presentation and car driving). Salivary CgA-l ike IR level showed apparently no change during continuous physical exercis e, while plasma noradrenaline level increased immediately. These results su ggest strongly that salivary CgA-like IR can be a sensitive and substantial index for psychosomatic stress.