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K. Saraladevi Department of Biochemistry, University of Madras, India

Influence of Examination Stress on Enzymes among Students K. Saraladevi

Scientists recognize that many students experience heightened stress levels as examinations approach and in some cases that stress can become very acute, resulting in what many people refer to as panic attacks. The frightening thoughts create more anxiety which expresses itself as more symptoms, and thus a vicious circle is set up. It is when students psychological symptoms go into overdrive that they experience a panic attack. The physiological mechanisms involved are the ordinary ones used to cope with stress. These normally serve us well but when things are starting to get out of control they can have a tendency to get into a feedback cycle. It is understood that transaminases and alkaline phosphatase levels are increased during panic attacks. And in this study Trans aminases and alkaline phosphatase levels are increased during examinations. This study examines the influence of examination stress during panic situation, on Aspartate transaminase, Alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase among students. 25 students were selected randomly from X, XII, M.Sc., and Vocational group and their blood were drawn just before examination and at relaxed state to know the aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase enzyme levels of test and control samples. Aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase enzymes were assayed by the method King (1965). An Alkaline phosphatase enzyme was estimated by applying the procedure of King and Armstrong (1934) with some modifications. Examination stress questionnaire developed by the investigator was administered to measure the examination stress of the sample. Conclusions: 1. There were significant differences between Aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase just before examination when compared to relaxed state. 2. Examination stress modified the levels of aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase of class X, XII, M.Sc., and Vocational group students. 3. Examination situation induces panic attacks in some students.