title: Interaction of stressors and the limits of cellular homeostasis.
abstract: The cellular stress response which can be elicited by a variety of physical or chemical stressors challenges the homeostatic mechanisms of the cells. Two stressors may interact such that, for example, in the presence of a defined thermal stress ("costress") a second weak stressor like electromagnetic fields (50 MHz, 100 microT) produces strong biological effects. Based on the apparent interaction of these stressors a concept is suggested that explains the observed effects and defines the limits of cellular homeostasis in general terms. The homeostatic potential of a cell and hence the ability to cope with stressors can be altered by eliciting or depressing the heat shock response. This manipulation has several promising medical applications.
authors.affiliation: Technische Universität Dresden, Institut für Zoologie, Dresden, D-01062, Germany. Herwig.Gutzeit@mailbox.tu-dresden.de
authors.forename: H O
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Gutzeit
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D005334:Fever / Q000378:metabolism; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006706:Homeostasis; D018384:Oxidative Stress
chemical_list: D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins