Effects of water‐immersion restraint stress on some bio‐chemical parameters in Wistar rats and roles of selenium and vitamin E

Abstract

Stress is an aversive stimulus, which disturbs physiological homeostasis; it induces the strain upon both emotional and physical endurance, which has been considered the basic factor in the aetiology of a number of diseases. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of water immersion restraint stress (WRS) on some bio‐chemical parameters and role of selenium and vitamin E in Wistar rats. (n= 35) Male Wistar rats weighing 200–220g were divided in to five groups of seven rats each: (i) passive control (non‐stress rats), (ii) active control (WRS plus distilled water), (iii) WRS plus vitamin E, (iv) WRS plus vitamin E plus selenium, and (v) WRS plus selenium. The WRS procedure lasted for 3.5 hours. Blood samples were collected through cardiac puncture for biochemical analyses. The result of the present study demonstrated that acute WRS significantly increase the activities of plasma ALT, AST, ALP and MDA concentration. WRS leads to significant decrease in the total plasma protein concentration and activities of antioxidants enzymes, SOD, GSH and Catalase. However pre‐treatment with selenium and vitamin E individually or in combination significantly lowered the activities of these liver enzymes and MDA concentration and significantly increase plasma protein concentration and the activities of the antioxidant enzymes. The effects were considerable in selenium and vitamin E co‐administration. It was thus concluded that WRS exposure causes significant alteration in on some liver function diagnostic and lipid peroxidative indices, total plasma protein and activities of antioxidant enzymes. However pre‐treatment with selenium or vitamin E ameliorate some of the recorded effects of WRS.