Stress and Intestinal Flora

Abstract

Selye (18) proposed the following hypothesis : an organism activates its ACTHcorticoid defensive reaction between the pituitary and adrenal gland against a variety of stressors. With the above reaction, the organism builds up a resistance to the stress but simultaneously triggers a series of nonspecific processes e.g. hypertrophy of the adrenal gland, degeneration of the thymus and lymphatic system, ulceration of the stomach and duodenum, and reduction in the body weight. These are collectively referred to as the "general adaptation syndrome." "Stressor," defined as any source of stress, includes biological stressors (fatigue, inanition, bacteria, etc.), physical stressors (cold, heat, drafts, radiation, etc.), chemical stressors (chemicals, toxins, etc.), mental and social stressors (tension, anxiety, crowding, noise, etc.), and other stressors. The hormones secreted as a result of stress, however, are not only ACTH-corticoid but also (ƒÀ-endorphin, ƒÀ-lipotropin,