Fig. 5: Food insecurity elevates systemic and intratumoral stress hormone levels.
From: Food insecurity impacts neuroblastoma pathogenesis in murine xenograft tumor models
Corticosterone (HPA axis activation marker) and catecholamines (sympathetic neurotransmitters) were measured pre- and post-food insecurity. A Plasma and tumor corticosterone levels were significantly elevated in the food-insecure group compared to controls, indicating a heightened systemic stress response. B, C Catecholamine levels were assessed in both plasma (systemic) and tumor tissue (intratumoral). Food insecurity resulted in a significant increase in both systemic and intratumoral catecholamine levels, suggesting enhanced sympathetic activation within the tumor microenvironment. (**p < 0.001, ***p < 0.001, ****p < 0.0001).
