Yes, prolonged or severe cellular stress can contribute to the development of various diseases. For example:
- Neurodegenerative Diseases: Conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease are linked to the accumulation of misfolded proteins and oxidative stress. - Cancer: Chronic cellular stress can lead to mutations and genomic instability, promoting cancer development. - Cardiovascular Diseases: Oxidative stress is a major contributing factor to atherosclerosis and hypertension.
