The effects of stress on DNA repair capacity

Research has shown that lymphocytes of high-distress patients have reduced DNA repair relative to that of low-distress patients and healthy controls. Furthermore, deficits in repair are associated with an increased risk of ca ncer. Using and academic stress model, we hypothesized that students would exhibit lower levels of Nucleotide Excision Repair (NER) during a stressful exam period when compared to a lower stress period. Participants were 19 h ealthy graduate level students. NER was measured in lymphocytes using the u nscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) assay with slide autoradiography. Contrary t o prediction, mean values for NER significantly increased during the higher stress period relative to the lower stress period controlling for backgrou nd differences in repair. Furthermore, lymphocytes had significantly increa sed repair of endogenous damage during the higher stress period. Stress app ears to directly increase DNA repair. Additionally, stress may increase DNA repair indirectly by increasing damage to DNA.