Stress hormone
Stress hormones are secreted by endocrine glands to modify one's internal environment during the times of stress.[1] By performing various functions such as mobilizing energy sources, increasing heart rate, and downregulating metabolic processes which are not immediately necessary, stress hormones promote the survival of the organism.[1] The secretions of some hormones are also downplayed during stress.[1] Stress hormones include, but are not limited to:[1]
- Cortisol, the main human stress hormone
- Catecholamines such as adrenaline and norepinephrine
- Vasopressin
- Growth hormone
Role in human health[edit]
[[saf Stress hormones play a complex role in fighting diseases and infections, as they can have both positive and negative effects on the immune system. On one hand, stress hormones can enhance the immune responsgfhent and prophylaxis |journal=Med Hypotheses |volume=63 |issue=5 |pages=855–62 |date=2004 |pmid=15488660 |pmc=7126000 |doi=10.1016/j.mehy.2004.04.009 |url=}}</ref>
On the other hand, stress hormones can also suppress the immune response by reducing the number and function of lymphocytes, which are immune cells that produce antibodies and coordinate adaptive immunity. Stress hormones can also induce a state of chronic inflammation,Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).
On the other hand, stress hormones can also suppress the immune response by reducing the number and function of lymphocytes, which are immune cells that produce antibodies and coordinate adaptive immunity. Stress hormones can also induce a state of chronic inflammation,Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).
On the other hand, stress hormones can also suppress the immune response by reducing the number and function of lymphocytes, which are immune cells that produce antibodies and coordinate adaptive immunity. Stress hormones can also induce a state of chronic inflammation,<ref name="pmid27856655">{{cite journal |vauthors=Straub RH, Cutolo M |title=Glucocorticoids and chronic inflammation |journh Some viruses, such as Influenza and SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2, are known to suppress the secretion of stress hormones to avoid the organism's immune response, thus avoiding the immune protection of the organism. These viruses suppress the stress hormone cortisol by producing a protein that mimics the human ACTH hormone but is incomplete and does not have hormonal activity. ACTH is a hormone that stimulates the adrenal gland to produce cortisol and other steroid hormones. However, the organism makes antibodies against this viral protein, and those antibodies also kill the human ACTH hormone, which leads to the suppression of adrenal gland function. Such adrenal suppression is a way for a virus to evade immune detection and elimination.<ref name="cancer2019">{{cite journal | doi=10.1002/cncr.31943 | title=The impact of psychosocial stress and stress management on immune responses in patients with cancer | date=2019 | last1=Antoni | first1=Michael H. | last2=Dhabhar | first2=Firdaus S. | journal=Cancer | volume=125 | issue=9 | pages=1417–1431 | cvassdgs