Stress-induced Immune Suppression Research Articles

Prevention of psychological stress-induced immune suppression by aged garlic extract.

We determined the effect of Aged Garlic Extract (AGE) on damage caused to immune function by a psychological stress using a communication box. After four days of a psychological stress, a decrease in spleen weight and spleen cells was observed in the psychological stress-exposed mice as compared normal mice (non-stress). AGE significantly prevented the decreases in spleen weight and cells. Additionally, AGE significantly prevented the reduction of hemolytic plaque-forming-cells in spleen cells and anti-SRBC antibody titer in serum caused by this psychological stress. Moreover, a reduction in NK activities was observed in the psychological stress-exposed mice as compared with normal mice (non-stress), whereas NK activities in the AGE administered mice were almost the same as normal mice (non-stress). These results indicate that psychological stress qualitatively and quantitatively impairs immune function, and that AGE is extremely useful for preventing psychologically-induced damage.

Stress-induced immune suppression: Role of brain corticotropin releasing hormone and autonomic nervous system mechanisms

Stress-induced immune suppression: Role of brain corticotropin releasing hormone and autonomic nervous system mechanisms

Stress-induced immune suppression. Role of the autonomic nervous system.

Experimental data together with clinical studies have generated information about the association between sympathetic nervous system activity and immunity as measured by in vitro correlates of cellular immune function. In addition, studies on the in vivo role of central CRF in coordinating sympathetic outflow and modulating immune function have provided an opportunity to examine central mechanisms important in the link between brain, behavior, and immune function. Finally, use of CRF as a neuropeptide probe will likely continue to give information about the central mechanisms relevant to the abnormal regulation of sympathetic nervous activity and immune function in stress and possibly in aging.

Immunological and Behavioral Effects of Fragrance in Mice

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of olfactory stimulation on immunological and behavioral states in mice. Anti-SRBC (IgM) plaque forming cell (PFC) count and spontaneous running activity (SRA) were measured to demonstrate the effects of exposure to a given fragrance. The decreased PFC count and thymic involution induced by high pressure stress in mice were recovered after exposing the stressed mice to the fragrance continuously for 4 days after the stress was given. The PFC and SRA also appeared to be maintained at normal levels by oflactory stimulation with the fragrance for 24 hrs after the given stress. The immunological suppression induced by high pressure stress was considered to be caused by the induction and activation of suppressor cells. However, exposure to the fragrance after the stress did not enhance suppressor activity. The restoration of the stress-induced immune suppression by olfactory stimulation was blocked by procain administration onto the olfactory cells.