Introduction
Stress is a problem faced by all organisms in nature. It is a natural part of life as a response to stimuli. Over the years, it has developed different connotations, but stress is defined as the non-specific response of the body to any demand for change” (Selye, 1998). As such, even cells experience stress. Under some circumstances, short term stress may be beneficial to the cell; however, prolonged stress (especially in the Endoplasmic Reticulum [ER]) created by harmful stimuli such as heat, shock, oxidation, viruses, or other factors may lead to an overabundance of unfolded proteins (Szegezdi, 2007). Prolonged ER stress will then lead to pathological conditions and even apoptosis (orchestrated cell death) induction (Lai, Teodoro, & Volchuk, 2007). Since the ER is the organelle that monitors the proper folding and delivery of proteins, when it is stressed, a recovery response is required by the cell, otherwise disease and/or cell death will surely follow (Kostova & Wolf, 2003).
When under stress, one of the first responses to that stress is carried out by renal (kidney) proximal tubular cells . That reaction is to activate the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR), during which the cell: (a) halts protein synthesis, (b) salvages essential proteins and messenger Ribonucleic Acid (RNA), and (c) degrades and/or folds proteins needed for daily processes in an attempt to maintain the internal homeostasis of the cell (Fukasawa, 2012). If the UPR and proteasomes cannot stabilize the cell, autophagy (self-cell degradation) may occur as a last-ditch effort to preserve cellular homeostasis and prolong cell life (Benbrook & Long, 2012).
Consequently, ER stress and a cells response to it can have profound effects on the human body. One striking example, the subject of study in this research, is a disease that plagues approximately 30% of all diabetics and is a leading cause in the development of End-Stage Renal Disease (National Kidney Foundation, 2012). This serious disease is Diabetic Nephropathy (DN). Several processes, including genetic, environmental, behavioral, and cellular factors contribute to the development of diabetes. The initiation of DN is widely believed to result from the excessive amounts of sugar that are retained in the blood and are then filtered into the urine and absorbed by the kidney. These unusually high and prolonged levels of urinary and blood sugar levels create cellular stress including ER stress and produce high urinary glucose and/or protein at the body level (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, 2012).
The accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria because of inefficient removal of damaged mitochondria (mitophagy) causes an increase in free radical leakiness and the cycle of oxidative damage to the bio molecules and thus helping in apoptosis. [3]
Prolonged stress or distress can be a hindrance to the homeostasis of the animal and cause responses in the body that induce the animal to overwork its physiological systems. The animals that endure this prolonged stress are placed into an inevitable environment or circumstance where the animal either is or feels trapped or captured.
The first evidence of diabetes was found on an early Egyptian manuscript from 1500 BCE, however; it is only in the last 200 years that we understand what is happening at the cellular level in a diabetic individual (Polansky, 2012). We now know that diabetes is a complex disorder of genetic, chemical, and lifestyle factors that contribute to the body’s inability to utilize glucose for energy and cellular functions (ADA, 2013).
To a great extent, stress can be a helpful response, especially for prehistoric humans. During this era, our species needed to react quickly to outside stimuli through a response of “fight or flight”. Through stress, certain hormones are released to help the individual resist the stressor, which may have meant running away from a natural predator. Thus, stress is a positive response that ensures the survival of the species. However, stress over a prolonged period of time causes exhaustion in the individual. Consequently, although stress can be helpful for individuals today, many often experience chronic stress, inflicting varying degrees of damage to their bodies.
Oxygen is an essential component for cellular metabolic processes. As a result of normal cellular metabolism, oxidative products i.e. oxygen free radicals or reactive oxygen species are produced. In eukaryotic cells energy is generated in mitochondria as a result of aerobic respiration and this oxidative metabolism is responsible for formation of various compounds. Nearly all of these compounds are advantageous but a small proportion could be lethal if produced in higher concentration. During normal conditions small quantities of oxidative products are necessary for certain sub cellular events, including enzyme activation, formation of disulfide bond during the folding of new proteins, signal transduction and gene expression etc. (Yu etal., 2002; Droge, 2002). Oxidative stress can be defined as the excessive production of ROS which are not adequately removed from the body, because of reduced antioxidant defense system or the ROS increases beyond the capacity of antioxidants. The balance between oxidants and antioxidants is vital because oxidative stress can cause oxidative damages to N.A, lipids and proteins. The most important ROS are superoxide anion (O2−), singlet oxygen (O2), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and highly reactive hydroxyl radical (OH-). Whereas, antioxidant defense system is responsible to give protection against ROS. These antioxidants can scavenge and destroy ROS. The major antioxidant enzymes are catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) PON ….. and glutathione system (Sies, 1985; Valko et al., 2007; Halliwell and Gutteridge, 1990).
Diabetes also known as high blood sugar levels, develops when your body either cannot make enough insulin or can't properly use the insulin that it makes. Diabetes has been around since the 1500's. The ancient Chinese described the signs of diabetes as described as "large amounts of urine." (Beaser 2). It wasn't until the ancient Greeks who actually gave the name of diabetes, which meant "to flow through." (Beaser 2) Later the Latin's added the word mellitus, which means sweet urine. The medical term is now diabetes mellitus. To understand the multiple ways to treat diabetes, you first need to understand what diabetes is and how your body reacts to it. Everyone needs food to survive, without food you will starve to death. Once we put food into our mouth, our body breaks it down to be used for fuel by the cells within our body. This process is called metabolism. Food is f...
Glucose is a sugar that plays a big part in a human’s health and well-being. This sugar is a major source of energy for the body’s brain and cells. The Cells that receive energy from glucose help in the building of the body’s muscle and tissue. Although glucose may be important to the body too much of this sugar can cause a chronic condition called Diabetes. Diabetes, also known as Diabetes mellitus, is a chronic condition that is caused by too much sugar in the blood. This condition can affect all age groups. In fact, in 2010 a survey was taken by the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, on the number of newly diagnosed diabetes. Out of 1,907,000 people: 24.38% were ages 20-44, 55.17% were ages 45-64, and 20.45% were ages 65 and greater. Diabetes is a very serious condition, and it can be deadly if left untreated. This paper will help better educate the reader on the signs and symptoms, the testing process, and the management of diabetes.
Complications related to diabetes and nephropathy are said to account for 50% of new cases of end stage renal disease (...
The stress not only causes physiological, but also psychological problems. How does our body react when the stress comes? That will be “hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal”, which is called ATP , the system regulate the stress. When facing stressors, our mouth becomes dry, as it is conserving fluids because our HPA axis sensing danger. It’s used to escape predators or fighting with beasts. But this system isn’t designed for today’s diverse stressors because in modern world, most people need to worry about mortgages, relationships and promotions more than the fight for food. If we continur to let our body work under these stressful conditions, it will break down the strain. This process is called ”allostatic load”. HPA axis also produce serious and long-lasting negative effects, like physical and psychological in our
The purpose of this paper is to define stress and how it effects the body's physiological systems. This paper will include the normal functions and organs involved in the following five physiological systems, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory, immune and musculoskeletal. This paper will also include a description of a chronic illness associated with each physiological system and how the illness is affected by stress.
There is overwhelming evidence that daily stress may be harmful to the overall health of humans (Cohen, Tyrrell, and Smith, 1991; Glaser, Rice, and Sheridan, 1987; and Schleifer, and Keller, 1991). The mechanism by which stress influences health outcomes is thought to involve the immune system.
The kidneys are a bean-shaped organ in the human body and they have different functions and are of vital importance for it. The kidneys are the pair of organs, which are able to regulate the reabsorption of ions such as potassium, sodium and calcium, which are fundamental substances for the cell. Furthermore, they are involved in the reabsorption of nutrients in the bloodstream and they can regulate the acidity of the blood. Besides the regulation of the fluids and ions, the kidneys are also responsible for the regulation of many different hormones that are involved in homeostasis and metabolism. Because of their importance in the regulation of substances in the body, when the kidneys stop working properly all the body is influenced by that creating disequilibrium in the maintenance of homeostasi...
Stress is the combination of psychological, physiological, and behavioral reactions that people have in response to events that threaten or challenge them. Stress can be good or bad. Sometimes, stress is helpful, providing people with the extra energy or alertness they need. Stress could give a runner the edge he or she needs to persevere in a marathon, for example. This good kind of stress is called eustress. Unfortunately, stress is often not helpful and can even be harmful when not managed effectively. Stress could make a salesperson buckle under the pressure while trying to make a sales pitch at an important business meeting, for example. Moreover, stress can increase the risk of developing health problems, such as cardiovascular disease and anxiety disorders. This bad kind of stress is called distress, the kind of stress that people usually are referring to when they use the word stress.
Stress is an ongoing dilemma that occurs in each and everyone’s life. It is a factor that is undoubtedly a part of daily living. Due to the trivial problems that occur in people’s daily lives massive amounts of stress can arise. People perceive and manage stress in many different ways. The causes and effects of stress are numerous and one’s ability to manage stress is vital in maintaining healthy living.
Stress has various effects on the body, both psychological and physiological. Stress can have positive effects on the body and can be beneficial, but frequent stress will eventually cause negative effects on the body.