Theresearchersfoundthatcytokinelevelswentupafter"negative"interactions,usuallyarguments.Butplayingsportsdidn'thavethesameeffect,eventhoughit'scompetitive.Thismaybebecause"we'rereallytalkingaboutpeopledoingfriendlygames,"Taylorsaid."We'renotlookingatUSCplayinginthefootballfinals."
It'spossiblethatsomekindsofcompetitions,likepokergames,couldtriggerinflammation,shesaid.
Whydoesitmatterifstresstriggersmoleculeslinkedtoinflammation?"Ifyouaren'twounded,there'snoplaceforthemtogo,andthey'recirculating,"Taylorsaid."It'snotlikethey'vegonetothesiteofawoundandengagedinanti-infectionactivity."
Low-gradeinflammationinthebodycancontributetothebuildupofartery-blockingplaqueandcontributetodisorderslinkedtoanout-of-controlimmunesystem,suchasasthma,Taylorsaid.
Sowhatdoesthisallmean?Thechallenge,Emory'sMillersaid,isfiguringoutwhichcamefirst--stressorinflammation.
"Doaggressive,sociallydisadvantagedindividualsexhibitmoreinflammationbecausetheyareconstantlystressed?"heasked."Oraretheyrunningtheirimmunesystemhotbecausethatistheirfundamentalnature,andthecytokinesaredrivingtheiraggressionbecausecytokinesinducethebraintoperceivetheworldasthreatening?"
