How does chronic stress affect the endocrine system and metabolism?4 answersChronic stress affects the endocrine system and metabolism in various ways. It has been shown that chronic stress can result in disturbances of body hormones through the neuroendocrine system, leading to the activation of signaling pathways related to tumor development in tumor cells. Increased levels of circulating glucocorticoids, which are a part of the stress response, can cause metabolic dysregulation. Stress can also affect features of metabolic dysfunction, such as insulin resistance and glucose and lipid homeostasis, as well as accelerate aging processes. Chronic activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, induced by stress exposure, can alter adipose tissue metabolism and contribute to endocrine changes that disrupt whole-body energy balance, potentially leading to obesity. Additionally, chronic stress during adolescence can have long-lasting effects on behavioral coping and metabolic health, with females showing increased susceptibility.
How does chronic stress affects brain FUNCTION?4 answersChronic stress affects brain function by causing various pathophysiological changes and alterations in neurotransmitters. It enhances the formation of reactive oxygen species, leading to mitochondrial cell death and activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, resulting in excessive secretion of cortisol. This excessive cortisol secretion is responsible for glucose metabolism alterations and the development of neurological disorders such as anxiety, depression, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. Chronic stress also leads to the loss of spines and dendrites in the prefrontal cortex, impairing top-down regulation of thought, action, and emotion. It has detrimental effects on cerebrovascular function, potentially through increased oxidative stress. Additionally, chronic stress induces changes in hippocampal function, including activation or deactivation of neural ensembles and dendritic spine pathology, which can result in emotional and cognitive sequels. Furthermore, chronic stress affects attention networks, leading to slower task response, lower accuracy, and changes in attention control.
How does chronic stress affect epigenic aging?5 answersChronic stress has been found to affect epigenetic aging. Studies have shown that cumulative stress is associated with accelerated epigenetic aging, as measured by epigenetic clocks such as GrimAge. Additionally, DNA methylation age predictors have been used to examine the effect of stress on epigenetic aging, and it has been found that cumulative lifetime stress, but not childhood or current stress, is associated with accelerated epigenetic aging. The underlying molecular mechanisms linking stress and epigenetic aging are still being investigated, but evidence suggests that epigenetic modifications play a role in this association. Exposure to psychosocial stress, including early-life stress, cumulative stressful experiences, and low socioeconomic status, has been linked to accelerated epigenetic aging, providing further support for the impact of chronic stress on epigenetic aging.
How does chronic stress affect hpa axis gene expression?5 answersChronic stress affects HPA axis gene expression by modulating the activity of various components of the axis. The presence of microbiota/intestinal commensals plays an important role in shaping the response of peripheral tissues to stress, including the HPA axis. In a rat model, chronic stress led to blunted HPA axis functionality and altered expression of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and glucocorticoid receptors in the hypothalamus. Additionally, chronic stress upregulated the expression of pituitary FKBP5, a gene regulating glucocorticoid receptor sensitivity. The chronic stress-microbiota interaction also influenced the expression of genes involved in steroidogenesis and catecholamine synthesis in the adrenal gland. Furthermore, chronic stress altered the expression of cytokines in the colon, including TNFα, IFNγ, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, and IL-17. These findings suggest that chronic stress can dysregulate HPA axis gene expression and immune responses in peripheral tissues.
What are the liver effects of chronic stress?4 answersChronic stress has been found to have various effects on the liver. It can promote liver injury and fibrosis by affecting the diversity of gut microbiota and increasing intestinal permeability. Additionally, chronic stress can lead to liver damage by triggering endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced apoptosis. The activation of ER stress-related pathways, caused by prolonged stress, can result in inflammation and cell death in the liver. Furthermore, chronic stress has been associated with elevated levels of liver injury markers, such as Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), and Gamma glutamyl-transferase (GGT). These findings highlight the detrimental effects of chronic stress on liver health and emphasize the need to manage stress for the well-being of the liver.
What are the effects of chronic stress on the liver?5 answersChronic stress has been found to have various effects on the liver. It can promote liver injury and fibrosis by causing changes in the diversity of gut microbiota and increased intestinal permeability. Chronic stress can also lead to liver damage by triggering endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced apoptosis. Additionally, chronic stress can activate an intrinsic metabolic pathway in the liver that can modulate depressive-like behavior. The liver plays a crucial role in the metabolism and detoxification processes, making it highly vulnerable to the effects of chronic stress. These findings highlight the importance of considering the liver as a target organ in understanding the pathophysiology of chronic stress-related disorders.