Stressor exposure and immunological response in man: Interferon-producing capacity and phagocytosis

Abstract

Exposure of 8 healthy human females to a moderately stressful 77-hr vigil under strictly controlled conditions was accompanied by changes in adrenal cortical and medullary hormones compatible with a stress reaction. The ability of the lymphocytes to procedure interferon in response to the addition of Sendai virus to blood samples rose during the stressor exposure and was highest after this. Phagocytosis by peripheral blood phagocytes showed a decrease during the vigil and was followed in post-exposure samples by a rise to levels above pre-exposure values.