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Plasma cortisol in men--relationship with atherosclerosis of retinal arteries.

The production of cortisol increases in acute stress but the effects of chronic stress on plasma cortisol are still controversial. Stress on the other hand plays a role in coronary artery disease (CAD) and carotid atherosclerosis. Since there is no data about plasma cortisol and atherosclerosis of the retinal arteries, the purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between plasma cortisol in 101 adult males with the degree of their retinal vessels atherosclerosis. The results were compared with those in 47 matched apparently healthy men with no retinal vessels changes. The atherosclerotic changes of retinal vessels were determined by direct ophthalmoscopy and graded (1-4) according to Scheie. Morning plasma cortisol levels were determined by radioimmunoassay using commercial kits. The results were compared by using chi-square test. No association between morning plasma cortisol concentrations and retinal vessels atherosclerosis could be found. The results of this study do not support a role for physiological levels of plasma cortisol in the development of atherosclerosis, at least of the retinal arteries, in men.