New research from cardiovascular scientists at UC Davis Health reveals that stress affects more than just the mind — it also alters heart function at the molecular level.
Published in the Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology, the study explores how environmental and social stressors — such as noise, overcrowding and sleep disruption — can impact cardiovascular health. The research focuses on understanding the effects of chronic psychosocial stress on the development and progression of cardiovascular disease.
Using animal models, the researchers found that just 10 days of acute stress triggered increased inflammation, leading to subtle changes in heart function. The study also uncovered the molecular mechanisms behind these effects. The team identified the activation of multi-protein complexes known as NLRP3 inflammasomes, which act as powerful amplifiers of inflammation.
"We discovered that stress turns these multi-protein complexes on through a chain reaction involving cell stress and a signaling pathway," said Padmini Sirish, adjunct associate professor of cardiovascular research and co-author of the study. "It's the first time we've seen that environmental stress can directly activate this process in heart cells, leading to the release of harmful molecules that contribute to heart disease."
"It's the first time we've seen that environmental stress can directly activate this process in heart cells, leading to the release of harmful molecules that contribute to heart disease."-Padmini Sirish
Impact on human health
Researchers say that making lifestyle changes to lower stress is the best option. But they know that is not always possible, especially for people living in areas with more pollution, noise or social challenges.
"Using this new information, our goal is to find targets in the body that could help us create new treatments," Sirish explained. "If we can't remove the stress, we can at least reduce how much it harms the heart."
The team is now studying chronic stress and how it affects the connection between the brain and heart. They are also looking at how stress might change gut bacteria and body chemistry. In the future, they hope to work with clinicians to turn these findings into real treatments that help patients.
Multidisciplinary collaboration
The study is part of the American Heart Association's Strategic Focused Research Network (SFRN), a collaboration between UC Davis, Ohio State University and Wake Forest University.
The UC Davis team is comprised of a multidisciplinary investigative group that includes departments from four different schools and colleges (School of Medicine, School of Nursing, School of Veterinary Medicine and College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences).
"By bringing together experts from such diverse fields, we're able to look at heart health from many angles," Sirish added. "This integrated and multifaceted study extends our ongoing work in underserved communities and will add to the understanding of their disparate risk and related cardiovascular outcomes."
