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Stress and metabolism
G Seematter1, C Binnert, L Tappy
1Division of Anesthesiology, Lausanne University Hospital, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.
Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders
|March 29, 2008
Summary
Mental stress impacts obese individuals differently, potentially worsening insulin resistance and central obesity. This highlights stress management
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Metabolic Health
Background:
- Metabolic syndrome, characterized by obesity, lipid disorders, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension, is prevalent in affluent populations.
- Insulin resistance is recognized as a key factor in the development of metabolic syndrome.
- Stress responses involve the sympathoadrenal system, releasing hormones like cortisol and epinephrine, which can influence insulin sensitivity and fat distribution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the differential physiological responses to mental stress in obese versus lean individuals.
- To explore the role of stress-induced hormonal changes in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome components.
- To understand how endothelial dysfunction in obesity affects cardiovascular and metabolic responses to stress.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of physiological responses (blood pressure, vascular resistance, glucose disposal) to mental stress in obese and lean subjects.
- Assessment of hormonal responses (catecholamines, cortisol) during stress.
- Evaluation of endothelial function in relation to stress responses.
Main Results:
- Obese individuals exhibit impaired systemic vascular resistance reduction during mental stress due to endothelial dysfunction.
- Mental stress leads to heightened blood pressure responses and fails to stimulate glucose disposal in obese subjects.
- Stress-induced hormonal changes, including elevated cortisol and epinephrine, may contribute to central obesity and insulin resistance over time.
Conclusions:
- Mental stress exacerbates cardiovascular and metabolic dysregulation in obese individuals, differing significantly from responses in lean individuals.
- Endothelial dysfunction in obesity plays a critical role in the adverse physiological responses to stress.
- Chronic stress may be a significant contributor to the development and progression of metabolic syndrome and its associated vascular complications.
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