Immune system stress effect

Knowledge of the interaction of benzodiazepines and the immune system is much less advanced compared to our understanding of interactions between opioid systems and the immune system. It is clear that the benzodiazepines have strong anti-anxiety effects and that through these actions they reduce the response to stressful situations (Zavala, 1997). This, in turn, will reduce stress-induced activation of the HPA axis and so reduce its regulatory effects on the immune system. These effects are centrally mediated, however, and can be considered indirect effects. 

The 1998 and 2002 Scientific Assessments of Stratospheric Ozone firmly established the link between decreased ozone and increased UV-B radiation. In humans, UV-B is linked to skin cancer. It also contributes to cataracts and suppression of the immune system. The effects of UV-B on plant and aquatic ecosystems are not well understood. However, the growth of certain plants can be slowed by excessive UV-B. Some scientists suggest that marine phytoplankton, which are the foundation of the ocean food chain, are already under stress from UV-B. If true, this could adversely affect supplies of food from the oceans. 

Okada et al. examined the effects of TBT on cellular content of glutathione (GSH) in rat thymocites using a flow cytometer and 5-chloromethylfluorescein diacetate, a fluorescent probe for monitoring the change in the cellular content of GSH. TBT at nanomolar concentrations reduced the cellular content of GSH. There is an important implication on the TBT-induced depletion of cellular GSH since GSH has an important role in protecting the cells against oxidative stress and chemical and metal intoxications. TBT-induced decrease in cellular content of GSH in thymocytes may increase the vulnerability of the immune system. ° ... 

The effects on the immune system may be related to stress (glucocorticoid) rather than a direct effect of methyl parathion, although a stress-related effect is more likely for neurotoxic doses (Kunimatsu et al. 1996). 

With this background there is an obvious call for novel strategies to follow changes of complex molecular patterns of different stress-related diseases over days, weeks, months, and years as an effect of lifestyle and the psychosocial environment to reflect the effects of unhealthy environments. The molecular interactions between the brain and the immune system in health and disease are reflected in the circulatory system as the white blood cells, the lymphocytes, mimic ongoing activities in the brain. By using lymphocytes from patients with psychosomatic-psychiatric diseases we can find detailed information about protein-peptide translational modifications and transformation essential for the development of new approaches that can prevent and treat major psychiatric diseases. 

Specific tests are proposed for each of these categories. It notes that immune system effects in noclinical toxicology studies are often attributed and written off as due to stress (Aden and Cohen, 1993). Such effects are frequently reversible with repeat dosing and tend not to be dose-related. It is also proposed that when possible... 

Numerous physiological and environmental factors such as age, stress, nutritional deficiency, and infections may affect the immune system (Sullivan, 1989). Thus, adverse findings in animal studies may reflect these indirect immunotoxic effects rather than the direct immunotoxic potential of a chemical or drug. Indirect immunotoxic effects may be assessed through histopathologic evaluations of endocrine organs such as the adrenals and pituitary. 

There are a number of conditions that are considered to reduce the effectiveness of the immune system and hence increase the risk of infections. These include malnutrition, stress and intense prolonged physical activity. 

There is evidence that stressful conditions decrease the effectiveness of the immune system the loss of a job, a divorce or a bereavement increases the risk of development of cancer. This is due to impairment of the process of immune surveillance carried out by the neutrophils and other immune cells. They kill tumour cells that are migrating from a primary tumour to establish another tumour in a different tissue. The impairment may be due to chronic activation of the sympathetic system, which increases the... 

Some of the reasons for the return are as follows (i) new breeding grounds for the insects that are vectors for some pathogens (ii) antigenic drift in viruses and bacteria (iii) resistance to antibiotics (iv) a decrease in the effectiveness of the immune system due to the presence of other more chronic infections, poor nutrition or stress (v) expansion of air travel. 

The DSHEA allows manufacturers to make certain kinds of claims for their products (called structure/function claims ), but not specific health claims. For example, a manufacturer can say that its product "supports the immune system," "promotes healthy joints," or "reduces stress." It cannot say that it "reduces the pain of arthritis," "improves the health of a person with a compromised immune system" (such as HIV infection), or "works as effectively as Prozac . Manufacturers also have to include the following disclaimer on their labels and packages ... 

Chinese angelica Angelica sinensis) is the most important female tonic remedy in Chinese medicine. The elfects of angelica EO in three assays in mice (elevated plus maze, light/dark and stress-induced hyperthermia test) suggested that angelica EO exhibited an anxiolytic-like effect [391]. A link to emotion and cognitive performance with the olfactory system was reported [392]. Moreover, the EOs could affect mood, concentration and sleep [393], while other studies had shown that EOs were potentially important to boost the immune system [394, 395]. 

The effect of stress on the endocrine and immune systems depends upon its duration and severity. Following acute stress, the rise in ACTH in response to the release of corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) from the hypothalamus results in a rise in the synthesis and release of cortisol from the adrenals. The increase in the plasma cortisol concentration results in a temporary suppression of many aspects of cellular immunity. Due to the operation of an inhibitory feedback mechanism, stimulation of the central glucocorticoid receptors in the hypothalamus and pituitary causes a decrease in the further release of CRF, thereby decreasing the further... 

Figure 18.4. Endocrine-immune inter-relationship following acute stress. In response to stress, corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) are secreted from the hypothalamus causing the release of adrenocortico-trophic hormone (ACTH) from the pituitary. ACTH interacts with receptors on adrenocortical cells and cortisol is released from the adrenal glands. Release of cortisol into the circulation has a number of effects, including elevation of blood glucose. The negative feedback of cortisol on the hypothalamus, pituitary and immune system remains unaffected in acute stress - the release of CRF, AVP and immunotransmitters is still inhibited, preventing the continual activation of the...

Susceptibility to bacterial and viral infections, and to the establishment of tumours, is reported to arise more frequently in those who are depressed than in those who are not. An analysis of the immune systems of those suffering the severe psychological stress of bereavement has shown that the activity of those immune cells that are fundamentally involved in the host defence against infections (e.g. NKCs and T-lymphocytes) is dramatically reduced. Such an effect can occur following chronic and subchronic stress. 

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