Smoking, Stress & Allopregnanolone Response

N/ACompletedNCT02087800

University of Minnesota43 enrolled

Overview

This study aims to characterize the effect of smoking on stress-induced allopregnanolone (ALLO) response in women by menstrual phase. The investigators hypothesize that women who smoke will have a blunted ALLO response to stress.

Cigarette smoking persists as the leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality. Thus, finding ways to maximize quitting behavior is critical. Women have a more difficult time achieving smoking abstinence than men. The risk for smoking relapse appears to vary by menstrual phase such that the follicular phase is associated with greater risk compared to the luteal phase. Women are also more likely to smoke in response to stressful stimuli than men. Allopregnanolone (ALLO) is a stress-reducing neuroactive steroid that is primarily metabolized from the sex hormone progesterone and, therefore, varies by menstrual phase in women. Recent preclinical literature has indicated that ALLO may protect against drug abuse behaviors. Unfortunately, ALLO remains largely unexplored in clinical samples containing women. In this study we aim to characterize the effect of smoking on stress-induced ALLO response in women by menstrual phase. To achieve this goal, we will recruit a sample of premenopausal women who smoke (n=30) and do not smoke (n=30) to participate in a controlled cross-over study. All participants will complete two four-hour lab sessions timed to occur in the Follicular (F; low ALLO) and Luteal (L; high ALLO) menstrual phases. Each lab session will contain an acute stressor along with a timed series of assessments including blood samples (for ALLO measurement) and self-report of mood and perceived stress.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

Conditions

Smoking Cessation

Interventions

F phase lab sessionBEHAVIORAL

F phase sessions will occur three to seven days post the onset of menses. It will include blood draws, an acute stressor and completion of questionnaires.

L phase lab sessionBEHAVIORAL

L phase sessions will occur six to ten days prior to the onset of the next expected menses. It will include blood draws, an acute stressor and completion of questionnaires.

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 40 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Female between the ages of 18-40 years old * Stable physical/mental health, * Self-report of regular menstrual cycles, * Self-report of either smoking either current or never smoking, * English fluency, * Ability to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Self-report of current use of illicit drugs, other tobacco products, nicotine, or smoking cessation medications, * Current or recent pregnancy or breastfeeding, * Current or recent use of exogenous hormones (including birth control pills), * Current or recent use of psychotropic medications.

Locations (1)

University of Minnesota Tobacco Research Program

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in allopregnanolone levels

The change in ALLO after delivery of the acute stressor will be analyzed.

Time frame: 6 weeks

Secondary Outcomes

Change in mood

We will analyze ALLO levels and mood to see if there is an association between the two.

Time frame: 6 weeks

Change in stress level

We will analyze ALLO levels and perceived stress level to see if there is an association and whether stress changes as ALLO levels change.

Time frame: 6 weeks

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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