Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 17, 2026

Using Chronic Social Stress to Model Postpartum Depression in Lactating Rodents
07:30

Using Chronic Social Stress to Model Postpartum Depression in Lactating Rodents

Published on: June 10, 2013

The effect of acute and chronic stress on growth

Lars Sävendahl1

  • 1Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm SE-17176, Sweden. lars.savendahl@ki.se

Science Signaling
|October 25, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Stress impairs bone growth in children by affecting the growth plate via inflammation and cortisol. Treatments like immunomodulatory therapy and growth hormone (GH) show promise but require further study for optimal outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric endocrinology
  • Inflammation and bone biology
  • Growth disorders

Background:

  • Stress in children can lead to impaired bone growth, with the growth plate being a key target.
  • Mechanisms include elevated proinflammatory cytokines, cortisol, and disrupted growth hormone (GH)-insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) axis.
  • Glucocorticoids and cytokines negatively impact chondrogenesis, with local IGF-1 offering partial amelioration.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of stress on bone growth in children.
  • To evaluate the effectiveness of current and potential therapeutic strategies for stress-related growth impairment.
  • To explore novel treatments for children unresponsive to conventional therapies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of mechanisms by which stress affects the growth plate, including hormonal and inflammatory pathways.
  • Analysis of the role of glucocorticoids, proinflammatory cytokines, and the GH-IGF-1 axis in chondrogenesis.
  • Examination of therapeutic interventions such as glucocorticoid use, immunomodulatory agents (anti-TNFα), and GH therapy in conditions like juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Main Results:

  • Glucocorticoids and proinflammatory cytokines impair chondrogenesis, but local IGF-1 can partially improve these effects.
  • Disease control and judicious glucocorticoid use are crucial for managing stress-impaired growth in chronic inflammation.
  • Anti-TNFα therapy partially restores linear growth in some JIA patients; GH intervention may benefit some non-responders.

Conclusions:

  • While current therapies like immunomodulatory agents and GH show potential, they do not completely normalize growth in all cases.
  • Further research is needed to understand if GH can rescue growth in patients unresponsive to anticytokine therapy.
  • Exploring new treatment strategies is essential for improving bone growth in children with stress-related growth impairment who do not respond to conventional treatments.

More Related Videos

The Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Inducing Anhedonia in Mice07:13

The Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Inducing Anhedonia in Mice

Published on: October 24, 2018

Restraint to Induce Stress in Mice and Rats03:48

Restraint to Induce Stress in Mice and Rats

Published on: December 6, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Nature and Nurture01:10

Nature and Nurture

Many human characteristics, like height, are shaped by both nature—in other words, by our genes—and by nurture, or our environment. For example, chronic stress during childhood inhibits the production of growth hormones and consequently reduces bone growth and height. Scientists estimate that 70-90% of variation in height is due to genetic differences among individuals, and 10-30% of variation in height is due to differences in the environments that individuals experience, such as differences...
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle01:27

Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle

Stress is a multifaceted response to events perceived as challenging or threatening, highlighting physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactions. Physically, stress can lead to fatigue, sleep disruptions, and various health issues such as frequent colds, chest pains, and nausea. Emotionally, it can manifest as anxiety, depression, irritability, and anger triggered by both minor and major life events. Cognitively, it may result in difficulty in concentration, memory, and...
Stress and Mental Health01:30

Stress and Mental Health

Chronic stress profoundly affects mental health, significantly influencing mood, behavior, and overall quality of life. Research closely links chronic stress with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Ongoing exposure to stress can lead to physiological and psychological changes, initiating a cycle of emotional distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis01:37

Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis

The response to stress—be it physical or psychological, acute or chronic—involves activation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis. The HPA axis is part of the neuroendocrine system because it involves both neuronal and hormonal communication. Its function is to regulate homeostatic systems—metabolic, cardiovascular, and immune—providing the necessary means to respond to a stressor.
Physiological Foundation of Stress01:24

Physiological Foundation of Stress

Stress triggers a coordinated physiological response involving the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This dual activation ensures that the body is prepared for both immediate and prolonged stress management. The process begins with the perception of a stressor. This initial phase activates the SNS, leading to the rapid release of adrenaline (epinephrine) from the adrenal glands.
Role of the Sympathetic Nervous System
Adrenaline triggers the...
Psychoneuroimmunology: Diabetes and Cancer01:19

Psychoneuroimmunology: Diabetes and Cancer

Chronic stress has been linked to both the onset and progression of serious health conditions, including Type 2 diabetes and cancer. Type 2 diabetes, a widespread chronic illness, is closely associated with obesity and insulin resistance, both of which often worsen under stress. Studies indicate that men experiencing high levels of chronic stress face a 45% higher risk of developing diabetes compared to those with minimal stress. Stress triggers physiological responses that elevate blood...