Alcohol, aging, and the stress response

The body responds to stress through a hormone system called the hypothalami c-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Stimulation of this system results in the s ecretion of stress hormones (i.e., glucocorticoids). Chronic excessive gluc ocorticoid secretion can have adverse health effects, such as Gushing's syn drome. Alcohol intoxication activates the HPA axis and results in elevated glucocorticoid levels. ironically, elevated levels of these stress hormones may contribute to alcohol's pleasurable effects. With chronic alcohol cons umption, however, tolerance may develop to alcohol's HPA axis-activating ef fects. Chronic alcohol consumption, as rt ell as chronic glucocorticoid exp osure, can result in premature and/or exaggerated aging. Furthermore, the a ging process affects a person's sensitivity to alcohol and HPA axis functio n. Thus, a three-rr ay interaction exists among alcohol consumption, HPA ax is activity, and the aging process. The aging process may impair the HPA ax is' ability to adapt to chronic alcohol exposure. Furthermore, HPA axis act ivation may contribute to the premature or exaggerated aging associated wit h chronic alcohol consumption.