Abstract
Background: Social isolation (SI) is a source of chronic stress in adults. Loneliness is, therefore, a function of the relationship quality and not quantity. This study evaluated the effect of social isolation on serum electrolytes and cortisol levels in Wistar rats. Methods: Twenty-four Wistar rats of both sexes (12 male and 12 females) were randomly divided into four groups: Group 1 and Group 2 (as control), and Group 3 and Group 4 (experiment) with six individually caged Wistar rats each. The animals had access to food and water ad libitum , were weighed weekly and observed the level of physical activity. After six weeks of isolation, blood was collected from the animals via ocular puncture for serum cortisol, sodium, and potassium ion analysis. All data were analyzed using SPSS software version 25.0. Values were considered significant at P < 0.05. Results: Results showed a significant decrease in mean serum sodium ion (137.78 +/- 2.9, 113.88 +/- 2.9, P = 0.004) and increase in mean calcium ion (2.74 +/- 0.24, 4.49 +/- 0.24, P = 0.003) and increase in mean serum potassium (4.92 +/- 0.29, 7.43 +/- 0.29, P = 0.003) a decrease in isolated males mean serum chloride (100.13 +/- 0.79, 93.50 +/- 0.79, P = 0.003) levels. Conclusion: Our findings showed the social isolation for six weeks induced electrolyte imbalance in rats (below and above the physiological range).
Highlights
Social Isolation (SI) is a term that describes the absence or lack of social interactions in an individual’s life
There was no significant correlation between body weight and either serum electrolytes or cortisol levels (Table 4)
A source of chronic stress, has been linked to neuroendocrine, cardiovascular, and psychological disorders 5,7,8, with little or no literature to show how social isolation affects electrolytes. This present study investigated the impact of social isolation on serum electrolytes and cortisol, there was no baseline measurement of serum electrolyte or cortisol level for any group
Summary
Social Isolation (SI) is a term that describes the absence or lack of social interactions in an individual’s life. Social isolation (SI) and loneliness are known sources of chronic stress in adults 4. Social isolation and loneliness are risk factors for poor mental and physical health 9. This study evaluated the effect of social isolation on serum electrolytes and cortisol levels in Wistar rats. After six weeks of isolation, blood was collected from the animals via ocular puncture for serum cortisol, sodium, and potassium ion analysis. Results: Results showed a significant decrease in mean serum sodium ion (137.78 ± 2.9, 113.88 ± 2.9, P = 0.004) and increase in mean calcium ion (2.74 ± 0.24, 4.49 ± 0.24, P = 0.003) and increase in mean serum potassium (4.92 ± 0.29, 7.43 ± 0.29, P = 0.003) a decrease in isolated males mean serum chloride (100.13 ± 0.79, 93.50 ± 0.79, P = 0.003) levels.
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