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Psychogenic stress induces chromosomal and DNA damage
H K Fischman1, R W Pero, D D Kelly
1Department of Medical Genetics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, NY 10032, USA.
The International Journal of Neuroscience
|February 1, 1996
Summary
Behavioral stressors like swim stress and foot shock significantly increase chromosome damage and Sister Chromatid Exchanges (SCEs) in rat bone marrow cells. This genotoxic damage, also seen in DNA synthesis, suggests a cellular genetic basis for stress effects.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Toxicology
Background:
- Behavioral stressors are known to impact physiological systems.
- The genotoxic effects of various stressors are not fully understood.
- Previous research has indicated potential links between stress and cellular damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genotoxic effects of diverse behavioral stressors in rats.
- To determine if stress induces chromosomal aberrations and Sister Chromatid Exchanges (SCEs).
- To assess stress-induced damage at both chromosomal and molecular levels using unscheduled DNA Synthesis (UDS).
Main Methods:
- Rats were exposed to various stressors including swim stress (cold and warm water), white noise, and inescapable foot shock (IFS).
- Bone marrow cells were analyzed for chromosome aberrations and SCEs.
- Unscheduled DNA Synthesis (UDS) was measured to assess molecular-level DNA damage.
Main Results:
- Swim stress significantly increased chromosome aberrations and SCEs in bone marrow cells within 24 hours.
- Diverse stressors, including white noise and IFS, induced varying degrees of cytogenetic damage.
- Unscheduled DNA Synthesis (UDS) indicated stress-induced genotoxic damage in a second cell type and at a molecular level.
Conclusions:
- Behavioral stressors induce a general phenomenon of cytogenetic damage.
- Stress can cause genotoxic effects at both chromosomal and molecular levels.
- These findings suggest a potential cellular genetic basis for the physiological effects of stress.