Stress (physiology): Difference between revisions
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'''Stress''' is a pathological process resulting from the reaction of the body to external forces and abnormal conditions that tend to disturb the organism's homeostasis.<ref>''Medical Subject Headings'', National Library of Medicine</ref> "The body" is not limited to that of humans; all living organisms have stressors and stress responses/ | |||
==Stress and the immune system== | |||
The major [[hormone|hormones]] that are produced during stress are the [[adrenal gland|adrenal glands']] secretion of [[catecholamines]], [[glucocorticoid|glucocorticoids]] and DHEA. The major glucocorticoid, [[cortisol]] (a [[prednisone]]-like anti-inflammatory [[steroid]]) reduces the [[immune system|immune]] response. In fact, "catecholamines and cortisol can both be immunosuppressive if chronically elevated... In contrast, DHEA is a precursor to sex hormones and is immune enhancing. [[In vitro]] studies have shown that cortisol suppresses [[neutrophil]] function, and this can be overcome by coincubation with DHEA sulfate."<ref name=Phillips>{{citation | |||
| author = Phillips AC. Burns VE. Lord JM. | |||
| title = Stress and exercise: Getting the balance right for aging immunity. | |||
| journal = Exercise & Sport Sciences Reviews | |||
| volume = 35 | |||
| issue = 1 | |||
| pages = 35-9 | |||
| date= 2007 January | |||
| UI= 17211192}}</ref> | |||
==Stress reduction== | |||
==References== | |||
{{reflist}} | |||
Revision as of 13:03, 12 December 2008
Stress is a pathological process resulting from the reaction of the body to external forces and abnormal conditions that tend to disturb the organism's homeostasis.[1] "The body" is not limited to that of humans; all living organisms have stressors and stress responses/
Stress and the immune system
The major hormones that are produced during stress are the adrenal glands' secretion of catecholamines, glucocorticoids and DHEA. The major glucocorticoid, cortisol (a prednisone-like anti-inflammatory steroid) reduces the immune response. In fact, "catecholamines and cortisol can both be immunosuppressive if chronically elevated... In contrast, DHEA is a precursor to sex hormones and is immune enhancing. In vitro studies have shown that cortisol suppresses neutrophil function, and this can be overcome by coincubation with DHEA sulfate."[2]