Medicinski vjesnik, Vol. 31 No. (1-4), 1999.
Professional paper
Glycobiology of psychological stress
Gordan Lauc
Jerka Dumić
Mirna Flögel
Abstract
When exposed to stress, human organism re-distributes its sources of energy in the expectation of the coming danger. In such circumstances motor and sensory systems are activated at the most, whereas digestive, immune, reproductive and other systems, not essential in the situation of imminent danger remain temporarily suppressed. This, of course, is beneficial in case of real physical danger, however, if such a state lasts for too long or recurs too often, the suppressed systems inevitably get impaired. Stress and its consequences are one of key issues of the modem society. Somewhere between one and two thirds of all doctors' visits is stress related. Numerous epidemiological and experimental researches in recent years have clearly documented the correlation between stress and incidence of many diseases. The most recent studies estimate two thirds of all doctors' visits to be caused by stress. Intensive research into molecular mechanisms of responses to stress, conducted in many laboratories, gradually explains the correlation between stress and its consequences. Glycoconjugates and their receptors - the lectins seem to be directly involved in that process. Detailed understanding of the biochemical basis of those complex processes will create possibilities for the development of new drugs to alleviate some of the negative impacts of stress.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
191968
URI
Publication date:
1.12.1999.
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