title: THE EFFECTS OF STRESS ON DNA REPAIR CAPACITY.
abstract: Research has shown that lymphocytes of high-distress patients have reduced DNA repair relative to that of low-distress patients and healthy controls. Furthermore, deficits in repair are associated with an increased risk of cancer. Using and academic stress model, we hypothesized that students would exhibit lower levels of Nucleotide Excision Repair (NER) during a stressful exam period when compared to a lower stress period. Participants were 19 healthy graduate level students. NER was measured in lymphocytes using the unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) assay with slide autoradiography. Contrary to prediction, mean values for NER significantlyincreasedduring the higher stress period relative to the lower stress period controlling for background differences in repair. Furthermore, lymphocytes had significantly increased repair of endogenous damage during the higher stress period. Stress appears to directly increase DNA repair. Additionally, stress may increase DNA repair indirectly by increasing damage to DNA.
authors.affiliation: Division of Behavioral Medicine and Oncology, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, 3600 Forbes Ave, Suite 405, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Forlenza
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Magee Women's Research Institute.
authors.forename: Jean J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Latimer
authors.affiliation: Division of Behavioral Medicine and Oncology, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, 3600 Forbes Ave, Suite 405, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baum
keywords: DNA damage; DNA repair; Psychological stress; academic stress; nucleotide excision repair