Cross stress adaptation: Phenomenon of interactions between homotypic and heterotypic stressors.

Individuals have an inherent capacity to cope with stressors in the form of stress adaptation. Apart from stress adaptation there is another well documented phenomenon known as cross stress adaptation. In this, there is a reduction in stress responsiveness to a novel stressor (in which the adapted organism had never encountered previously) in previously exposed organisms with another stressor given in either continuous or intermittent. However, regarding the existence of cross stress adaptation, there are mixed reports revealing that the positive cross stress adaptation exists between altitude and heat stress; swim and inescapable shock stress, hypoxia and cold stress, psychosocial stressor and exercise. However, there are other reports which reveal the non-existence of cross adaptation between forced swim and noise stress and cold and immobilized stress. The exact mechanisms responsible for cross stress adaptation are not defined and need to be investigated.

Pharmacological investigations on cross adaptation in mice subjected to stress immobilization.

AIMS: The present study was designed to investigate the existence of cross adaptation between immobilization and foot shock stress, and to identify the role of endogenous opioids in cross adaptation. METHODS: Mice were subjected to acute stress using a single episode of immobilization of 2h duration; while stress adaptation was induced by repeated exposures to homotypic stressor for 5 days. To explore the existence of cross adaptation, homotypic stressor was replaced with a heterotypic stressor on the 6th day and foot shocks of 0.5 mA intensity, 1s duration with an interval of 2 min were delivered for 1h. Stress-related behavioral alterations were assessed using the actophotometer, hole board, open field and social interaction tests. KEY FINDINGS: A single exposure of immobilization produced the significant behavioral alterations that were restored on the 5th day following repeated applications of immobilization stress, indicating the development of stress adaptation. Furthermore, acute exposure of foot shock (heterotypic stressor) did not produce the behavioral alterations in immobilization stress adapted animals, indicating the development of cross adaptation. Administration of naloxone abolished the restoration of behavioral changes as a part of adaptive/cross adaptive process in repeated immobilization stress-subjected mice. SIGNIFICANCE: It may be concluded that immobilization stress adapted mice exhibit cross adaptation to foot shock stress, with the possible involvement of opioids as endogenous adaptogenic/cross adaptogenic factors.