Stress-related hormones, including cortisol, play a significant role in immune system regulation and aging. Let’s delve into the details:
Immune System Regulation:
Cortisol, often referred to as the “stress hormone,” is produced by the adrenal glands. It has both anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects.
Impact on Immune Cells:
Cortisol influences immune cells, such as T lymphocytes (T cells), which are essential for immune responses.
Chronic stress can lead to elevated cortisol levels, which may dampen the immune response.
Reduced Immune Function: Elevated cortisol levels can contribute to insulin resistance and weaken the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections and other health issues12.
Inflammatory Response: Cortisol deficiency can lead to an inflammatory response, affecting immune function1.
Age-Related Changes: As people age, cortisol levels may decrease. Macrophages (important immune cells) become less efficient at converting inactive cortisone to active cortisol, contributing to immune system changes with increasing age.
Aging and Cortisol:
Hormonal Changes:
With aging, there is a substantial reduction in adrenal androgens (such as DHEA) accompanied by modest changes in aldosterone and cortisol.
These hormonal changes are associated with various pathological consequences, including impaired immune responses, decreased bone health, and accelerated age-related diseases.
Adrenal Cortex Aging:
The adrenal cortex, responsible for producing essential steroid hormones, undergoes changes with age.
Features include reduced adrenal cortex size, altered zonation, and increased myeloid immune cell infiltration.
These changes affect adrenal function and contribute to age-related health issues.
Increased Adrenal Tumors:
Aging is associated with an increased incidence of adrenal tumors, which is sex dimorphic (more prevalent in females).
Antiaging strategies may mitigate adrenal aging and associated pathologies, including adrenal tumors.
Social Stress and Immune Aging:
Exposure to social stressors (such as discrimination, trauma, and life events) is associated with accelerated immune aging.
A study found that social stress leads to a greater proportion of T cells committed only to fighting infections already encountered, indicative of immune aging.
Lifestyle factors (diet and exercise) may help offset immune aging associated with stress4.
In summary, stress-related hormones like cortisol impact immune system function, and understanding their effects is crucial for promoting healthy aging. Maintaining a balanced lifestyle, managing stress, and adopting antiaging strategies can contribute to overall well-being and immune
