Stress (physiology)

Stress

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. Our own in vitro studies have shown that cortisol suppresses neutrophil function, and this can be overcome by coincubation with DHEA sulfate."