Psychophysiological, neuroendocrine and cellular immune reactions under psychological stress.
Emotional stress is often followed by increased susceptibility to infections. Natural killer (NK) cells play a major role in the immediate immune response controlling this susceptibility. In this study on 45 first-time parachutists, it is demonstrated that highly controlled psychological stress increased psychophysiological variables, enhanced the secretion of sympathetic-adrenal hormones and also led to a significant increase of NK cells and their cytotoxic activity followed by a decrease below starting values. This immunological alteration is correlated with the secretion of noradrenaline during the emotional strain. Quick mobilization of these cytotoxic effector cells is suggested as a major mechanism for the effective adaptation of the immune system to stress situations.
Schedlowski
M
M
Division of Medical Psychology, Hannover Medical School, FRG.
Jacobs
R
R
Alker
J
J
Pröhl
F
F
Stratmann
G
G
Richter
S
S
Hädicke
A
A
Wagner
T O
TO
Schmidt
R E
RE
Tewes
U
U
D000328:Adult; D001359:Aviation; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000097:blood; D005239:Fear / Q000502:physiology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000502:physiology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000502:physiology*; D011603:Psychophysiology; D012119:Respiration / Q000502:physiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology
D002395:Catecholamines; D006854:Hydrocortisone