Health, UK (Commonwealth Union) – Biomarkers, measurable indicators of biological processes, are essential tools in understanding the impact of stress on our bodies. Researchers often examine these markers to unravel the physiological responses triggered by stress, aiming to pinpoint potential links to health outcomes.
One such biomarker often scrutinized in stress research is cortisol, commonly known as the “stress hormone.” Elevated levels of cortisol are associated with the body’s fight-or-flight response, triggered during stressful situations. Chronic stress can lead to prolonged cortisol elevation, potentially contributing to a range of health issues, from cardiovascular problems to impaired immune function.
A recent investigation by University College London (UCL) researchers revealed that individuals undergoing stressful life events or situations are prone to experiencing compromised biological health, as evidenced by biomarkers associated with the intricate interplay among the immune, nervous, and endocrine systems.
Published in the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity, the study unveiled that not only major stressors such as bereavement but also chronic challenges like financial strain negatively impact the harmonious functioning of these physiological systems.
Effective communication among the immune, nervous, and endocrine systems is crucial for maintaining optimal health. Disruptions in these processes have been correlated with a broad spectrum of mental and physical ailments, ranging from cardiovascular diseases to conditions like depression and schizophrenia.
When confronted with stressors, the signals between these vital systems are activated, prompting physiological and behavioral alterations. The research delved into the examination of blood concentrations of four specific biomarkers in a cohort of 4,934 individuals aged 50 and above, who participated in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Among these biomarkers were two proteins associated with the innate immune response to inflammation (C-reactive protein and fibrinogen), along with two hormones integral to the physiology of the stress response (cortisol and IGF-1).
Utilizing advanced statistical methodology known as latent profile analysis, the team categorized biomarker activity into three groups: low risk, moderate risk, and high risk for health. Subsequently, the researchers explored the impact of prior exposure to stressful situations on the likelihood of individuals falling into the high-risk category.
Their analysis revealed that overall exposure to stressful circumstances, encompassing roles such as informal caregiving or recent experiences of bereavement or divorce within the last two years, was associated with a 61% increase in the probability of being in the high-risk group four years later.
Furthermore, the cumulative effect was evident, with a 19% rise in the likelihood of being in the high-risk group for each additional stressor encountered by individuals facing multiple stress-inducing circumstances.
Notably, individuals reporting exclusively financial strain, indicating a perception of inadequate financial resources for future needs, demonstrated a 59% higher likelihood of belonging to the high-risk group four years later.
The lead author, PhD candidate Odessa S. Hamilton of the UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care, says “When the immune and neuroendocrine systems function well together, homeostasis is maintained and health is preserved. But chronic stress can disrupt this biological exchange and lead to disease.
“We found that financial stress was most detrimental to biological health, although more research is needed to establish this for certain. This may be because this form of stress can invade many aspects of our lives, leading to family conflict, social exclusion, and even hunger or homelessness.”
Enduring prolonged periods of stress can disrupt the communication between the immune and neuroendocrine systems. This is due to the similarity between our stress response and our response to illness, as both activate certain pathways (such as the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, a type of immune system signal). Additionally, the researchers examined genetic variants known to impact our immune-neuroendocrine response. They discovered that the link between stressful life circumstances and membership in the high-risk group four years later persisted regardless of genetic predisposition
