Relationship between psychological stress and lymphocytic 5′-ectonucleotidase

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Abstract
The relationship between psychological stress and lymphocytic 5′-ectonucleotidase, an enzyme marker for lymphocyte differentiation, was studied. Lymphocytic 5′-ectonucleotidase was decreased significantly by about twofold in persons experiencing psychological stress, with a corresponding change in Total Mood Disturbance scores of the Profile of Mood States. Enzyme values were reversible in that they returned to normal once the stress had been reduced. Administration of high doses of ascorbate to severely depressed patients also normalized 5′-ectonucleotidase activities, and implied that low enzyme values in stressed persons may be mediated by oxygen radical damage. This finding was consistent with previous reports of heightened inflammatory responses occurring in depressed patients. The primary cause of lowered 5′-ectonucleotidase during stress may be the breakdown in the homeostatic mechanisms of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and immune system resulting in lymphoid tissue resistance to corticosteroids. It is suggested that this lowering of lymphocyte 5′-ectonucleotidase may contribute to stress-mediated immune suppression by inhibiting lymphocyte maturation.