Distress and DNA repair in human lymphocytes

Abstract

This research assessed differences in DNA repair in lymphocytes from highand low-distressed individuals. A median split on Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) Scale 2 divided 28 newly admitted nonpsychotic psychiatric inpatients into high-and low-distress subgroups.The high-distress subgroup had significantly poorer DNA repair in lymphocytes exposed to X-irradiation than low-distress subjects. We also found that lymphocytes obtained from this psychiatric sample had significantly poorer DATA repair than lymphocytes from nonpsychiatric control subjects when compared 5 hr after X-irradiation. A high level of distress therefore appears to be associated with significant dysfunctional differences at the molecular level which may have important implications for health. These data provide evidence for a direct pathway through which distress could influence the incidence of cancer.

Known and potential new risk factors for skin cancer in European populations: a multicentre case-control study

“…23 In mice, chronic stress has been shown independently to suppress immunity and may contribute to skin cancer risk or enhance tumour growth. 47,49,50 Stress can also affect the cellular process involved in the repair of damaged DNA 51,52 and could thereby facilitate the establishment of oncogenic UV-induced mutations as an additional mechanism. Although it is difficult to refute the potential for recall bias in this study, there is growing evidence that stressful experiences may be a very real risk factor for cancer in general and, in this case, for all three types of skin cancer.…”

Modulation of cellular immunity in medical students

“…There are data suggesting that acute stress is immunosuppressive (e.g., Ader, 1981;Coe et al, 1985) and may be associated with important dysfunctions at the molecular level in DNA repair (Kiecolt-Glaser et al, 1985b). In contrast, it appears that relaxation may enhance immunity and provide a valuable "buffer" for at least some immunologic functions during more stressful times.…”

Effects of an Integrated Yoga Program in Modulating Psychological Stress and Radiation-Induced Genotoxic Stress in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy

“…45,46 Psychological stress is also associated with faulty DNA repair capacity in lymphocytes. 39,40 Later, Cohen et al 38 showed reduced DNA repair capacity in anxious students.…”

“…37 DNA repair capacity is also associated with psychological and physiological stress. [38][39][40] Therefore in view of the fact that breast cancer patients are under stress and that they also undergo considerable radiation-induced DNA damage, we investigate in the present study the effect of an intensive yoga program on psychological parameters (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS] and Perceived Stress Scale [PSS]) as well as radiation-induced DNA damage in the PBLs derived from the breast cancer patients pre-and post-radiotherapy, using both an intervention and a supportive counseling group.…”