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Stresses affect life expectancy
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Previously, scientists have been shown that frequent stress and depression accelerate the appearance of age-related changes in the human body. Recently, a number of studies have been carried out that helped to solve the genetic patterns and to establish why it is undesirable to worry and worry about anything.
Details of the study can be found on the pages of the journal Molecular Psychiatry.
Scientific representatives of the University of Indiana and Scripps Institute for a long time tried to establish the cause of the influence of psychological stress on the processes of natural aging of the body. Various possible factors have been analyzed: hormonal changes, gene modifications, the influence of radicals, etc.
However, the answer to the question was found, thanks to worms belonging to the genus Caenorhabditis elegans - this is the most researched version of worms at the moment. It was found that the reason for the decrease in life expectancy under the influence of stresses lies in the gene ANK 3, which encodes an ankyrin-G protein. This protein has already attracted the attention of scientists, since its relationship with the development of autism, schizophrenic and bipolar disorder has been established.
"Through numerous experiments, we came to the conclusion that we found a considerable number of genes that are directly or indirectly associated with stress formation processes and age-related changes. Certain genes directly participate in the formation of psychoemotional disorders and the development of stress resistance, and also have to do with the reduction of the period of the cellular life cycle, "says the author of the study, Professor Alexander Nikolescu.
A little earlier, one of Nicholasc's colleagues, Dr. Michael Petrachek, found that the worms mentioned above, under the influence of the antidepressant Mianserin, could live longer than usual. Such an interesting discovery served as an incentive for many scientific specialists: active research of this issue began. Do not remain indifferent and Professor Nicholascu.
Scientists at this stage managed to find out that a certain number of genes is responsible for changing age activity. In those people who are prone to mental and emotional disorders, which have a high level of stress and suicidal tendencies, the expression of these genes has been greatly altered. If to explain otherwise, the stresses influence the aging processes by means of genes.
How does this happen? What genes affect the increase in cell aging? Most likely, these are genes that alter the functionality of mitochondria - peculiar "batteries" that are found in the cytoplasm of each cell. While this is only an assumption, however, it already has a certain meaning: a large number of scientific experiments prove that there is a non-random connection between malfunctions in mitochondria and a shortening of life expectancy.
Research scientists have not yet been completed, but the conclusion can be done now: those who keep their nerves, lives longer.
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