A Biochemical Study of the Mechanisms of Oxidative Damage Caused by Mental Stress

Abstract

In order to elucidate the mechanisms of oxidative damage in human bodies caused by mental stress, the author biochemically examined changes in the levels of excretion into urine of some substances in normal healthy males and females before and after performing arithmetic calculations. Acceleration of excretion of albumin and the elevation of the levels of glucose (G), L-ascorbic acid (=vitamin C, VC) and catecholamine (CA) in urine were identified as biochemical responses to mental stress, although time-dependent changes in their patterns of excretions were seen in male and female subjects. Significantly, positive correlations were observed between the concentrations of adrenalin (A) and G, as well as between G and VC, in urine samples exhibiting increased excretions. These results indicated that excretions into urine of G and VC are accelerated when the blood G level is elevated because of mental stress-induced secretions of CAs, especially A, and that the resultant deficiency of VC as a major internal antioxidant may be one of the causes of oxidative damage as a result of mental stress.