Agathokleous E, Calabrese EJ. A global environmental health perspective and optimisation of stress.
THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020;
704:135263. [PMID:
31836236 DOI:
10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135263]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/27/2019] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The phrase "what doesn't kill us makes us stronger" suggests the possibility that living systems have evolved a spectrum of adaptive mechanisms resulting in a biological stress response strategy that enhances resilience in a targeted quantifiable manner for amplitude and duration. If so, what are its evolutionary foundations and impact on biological diversity? Substantial research demonstrates that numerous agents enhance biological performance and resilience at low doses in a manner described by the hormetic dose response, being inhibitory and/or harmful at higher doses. This Review assesses how environmental changes impact the spectrum and intensity of biological stresses, how they affect health, and how such knowledge may improve strategies in confronting global environmental change.
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