NEWS |
news R
eseaRcheRs have studied the link between chronic stress with chromosomal damage for a number of years. But now researchers at duke university Medical center have
discovered a mechanism that helps to explain the stress response in terms of dNa damage. 'We believe this paper is the first to propose a
specific mechanism through which a hallmark of chronic stress, elevated adrenaline, could eventually cause dNa damage that is detectable,' said senior author Robert J. Lefkowitz, James B. duke Professor of Medicine and Biochemistry, and a howard hughes Medical institute (hhMi) investigator, at duke university Medical center. in the study, which was published in
21 august online edition of Nature, mice were infused with an adrenaline-like compound that works through a receptor called the beta
It has recently been suggested that many people who complain about the size or shape of their nose show signs of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). A person with BDD historically
tends to have cosmetic surgery, and even if the surgeries are successful, does not think they are and is unhappy with the outcomes. A study of 266 patients evaluated
by plastic surgeons for rhinoplasty (nose job) procedures in Belgium, over a 16-month period, were given a questionnaire to assess symptoms of BDD. Study results showed that among those seeking rhinoplasty for medical reasons—to correct a breathing problem, for
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A round-up of news stories in the aesthetic and anti-ageing medicine industry
Why StrESS CAuSES DNA DAmAgE researchers uncover relationship of stress response to DNA damage
adrenergic receptor that Lefkowitz has studied for many years. the scientists found that this model of chronic stress triggered certain biological pathways that ultimately resulted in accumulation of dNa damage. 'this could give us a plausible
explanation of how chronic stress may lead to a variety of human conditions and disorders, which range from merely cosmetic, like graying hair, to life-threatening disorders like malignancies,' Lefkowitz said. P53 is a tumour-suppressor protein
and is considered a 'guardian of the genome' — one that prevents genomic abnormalities. the study showed that chronic stress leads to prolonged lowering of p53 levels, and the researches believe that this is the reason for the chromosomal
irregularities found in chronically stressed mice. the scientists found a molecular mechanism which
through
adrenaline-like compounds acted through both G-protein and the β-arrestin pathways to
trigger dNa damage. the publication showed that the infusion of an adrenaline-like compound for 4 weeks in the mice caused degradation of p53, which was present in
lower levels over time. the study also showed that the dNa damage
was prevented in mice lacking β-arrestin 1. Loss of β-arrestin 1 stabilised cellular levels of p53 both in the thymus, an organ that strongly responds to acute or chronic stress, and in the testes, where paternal stress might affect an offspring's genome.
RHINOPLASTY LINKED WITH BODY DYSMORPHIC DISORDER
example—only 2% of patients exhibited symptoms of the disorder. But among patients seeking
to change their noses for cosmetic reasons, 43% showed signs of the disorder, expressing an unreasonable
preoccupation
and distress about their bodies despite having noses that were relatively 'normal'. This study shows a surprisingly
high rate of BDD among nose-job patients. Previous studies have shown that approximately 10% of all patients seeking plastic surgery have BDD. However, not everybody who is
unhappy with their nose has BDD. It is important to note that
September 2011 |
prime-journal.com
researchers found no relationship between the level of BDD and the level of abnormality in the nose, meaning that the perception of a faulty nose shape or size matches a clinical self-esteem issue. What physicians should consider
is whether or not this preoccupation interferes with everyday living. Does this patient struggle to maintain social relationships? Does this patient have difficulty getting to work and remaining employed? According to David B. Sarwer, Associate Professor of Psychology at the Center for Human Appearance at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, patients with BDD
are 'chronically thinking about their nose, checking in the mirror or a reflective surface, or they avoid situations where people can see their profile.' A Seattle plastic surgeon advises
doctors not to operate on these patients because chances are they will not be satisfied with the results. He finds these patients easy to spot, 'Often patients who have this
can’t stop looking at themselves. When I’ve encountered cases like this, I’ve found it difficult to make eye contact. They tend to stand at the mirror in the examination room and look at themselves throughout the exam.'
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