Stress mechanisms and metabolic complications

Area of Science:

• Physiology
• Endocrinology
• Metabolic Health

Background:

• Stress is a state of disharmony threatening homeostasis, triggering adaptive responses.
• The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and autonomic nervous system are key stress response regulators.
• Chronic stress leads to metabolic dysregulation, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the mechanisms linking chronic stress and metabolic homeostasis derangement.
• To elucidate the reciprocal relationship between stress and obesity.
• To identify therapeutic targets for stress-related metabolic disorders.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent data on stress physiology and metabolic syndrome.
• Analysis of the role of HPA axis chronic hyperactivation in visceral fat accumulation.
• Investigation of obesity as a low-grade inflammatory state mediated by adipokines.

Main Results:

• Chronic stress is linked to metabolic homeostasis disruption, manifesting as visceral obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
• HPA axis overactivation under stress promotes visceral fat accumulation; obesity, in turn, can cause HPA axis dysfunction.
• Obesity contributes to metabolic derangement through systemic low-grade inflammation and adipokine dysregulation.

Conclusions:

• The bidirectional relationship between stress and metabolic homeostasis is critical in the pathophysiology of obesity and metabolic syndrome.
• Understanding these mechanisms offers insights into cardiometabolic complications.
• Further research may lead to more targeted and effective therapeutic interventions for stress-related metabolic diseases.