Stress, Reactivity, and Immune Function in Healthy Men

We examined the effects of acute psychological stress on lymphocyte proliferation and circulating levels of interleukin-1 and −2. Healthy men were exposed to two viewings of a gruesome surgery film and were asked to recall details of the film twice during a 30-min period. These subjects were compare...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Health psychology 1992, Vol.11 (4), p.223-232
Main Authors: Zakowski, Sandra G, McAllister, Cathy G, Deal, Marlene, Baum, Andrew
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Blood Pressure
Blood Pressure - physiology
Heart Rate - physiology
Human
Humans
Hydrocortisone - blood
Immunity, Cellular
Immunology
Interleukin-1 - blood
Interleukin-2 - blood
Lymphocytes
Lymphopenia
Male
Psychological Stress
Stress, Psychological
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Summary:We examined the effects of acute psychological stress on lymphocyte proliferation and circulating levels of interleukin-1 and −2. Healthy men were exposed to two viewings of a gruesome surgery film and were asked to recall details of the film twice during a 30-min period. These subjects were compared to a nonstress control group. Lymphocyte proliferation to the mitogen concanavalin A (Con A; 5 μg/ml) was decreased during and after exposure to the stressor when compared to the control group. This decrease was more pronounced in subjects exhibiting greater blood pressure reactivity while viewing the film than in subjects showing smaller blood pressure responses. None of the other immunological measures was significantly affected by the stressor. Cortisol was not correlated with lymphocyte responsiveness. Possible explanations for these results and implications for further research are discussed. Key words: stress, reactivity, lymphocyte proliferation, interleukin
ISSN:0278-6133
1930-7810
DOI:10.1037/0278-6133.11.4.223