Possible involvement of stress hormones and hyperglycaemia in chronic mild stress-induced impairment of immune functions in diabetic mice

M. R. RUBINSTEIN; G. A. CREMASCHI; L. M. OLIVERI; E. N. GEREZ; M. R. WALD; A. M. GENARO

STRESS

TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD

Año: 2010 p. 384 - 391

1025-3890

Stress, an important aspect of modern life, has long been associated with an altered homeostatic state. Little is known about the effect of the life stress on the outcome of diabetes, specially related to higher risk of infections. Here, we evaluate the effects of chronic mild stress exposure (CMS) on the evolution of type I diabetes induced in BALB/c mice. Exposure to diabetic animals to CMS results in a significant reduction of survival and a sustained increase in blood glucose values. Concerning to immune response, chronic stress have a differential effect in animals with diabetes respect to control showing an important decrease in both T- and B-cell proliferation. No correlation was found between catecholamines or corticosterone levels and proliferative response. However, a significant correlation was found between glucose levels and proliferative responses of both T and B cells. A positive correlation between blood glucose and catecholamine concentrations was found in diabetic animals but not in control animals submitted to CMS. Finally, the present report shows for the first time that diabetic mice have a worst performance in the physiological response to stress, pointing the importance of considering life stress as a risk factor for patients with diabetes.