Spencer R L, Hutchison K E
Department of Psychology, University of Colorado at Boulder, USA.
Alcohol Res Health. 1999;23(4):272-83.
The body responds to stress through a hormone system called the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Stimulation of this system results in the secretion of stress hormones (i.e., glucocorticoids). Chronic excessive glucocorticoid secretion can have adverse health effects, such as Cushing's syndrome. 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 consumption, however, tolerance may develop to alcohol's HPA axis-activating effects. Chronic alcohol consumption, as well as chronic glucocorticoid exposure, can result in premature and/or exaggerated aging. Furthermore, the aging process affects a person's sensitivity to alcohol and HPA axis function. Thus, a three-way interaction exists among alcohol consumption, HPA axis activity, and the aging process. The aging process may impair the HPA axis' ability to adapt to chronic alcohol exposure. Furthermore, HPA axis activation may contribute to the premature or exaggerated aging associated with chronic alcohol consumption.
身体通过一种名为下丘脑 - 垂体 - 肾上腺（HPA）轴的激素系统对压力做出反应。该系统受到刺激会导致应激激素（即糖皮质激素）的分泌。长期过量分泌糖皮质激素会对健康产生不利影响，如库欣综合征。酒精中毒会激活HPA轴并导致糖皮质激素水平升高。具有讽刺意味的是，这些应激激素水平的升高可能会导致酒精带来愉悦感。然而，长期饮酒后，身体可能会对酒精激活HPA轴的作用产生耐受性。长期饮酒以及长期暴露于糖皮质激素都可能导致过早和/或加速衰老。此外，衰老过程会影响人对酒精的敏感性以及HPA轴的功能。因此，饮酒、HPA轴活动和衰老过程之间存在三方相互作用。衰老过程可能会损害HPA轴适应长期酒精暴露的能力。此外，HPA轴的激活可能会导致与长期饮酒相关的过早或加速衰老。
