Experimental study of the features of post-stress recovery of psychophysiological functions using balneological treatments during the solstice

Abstract

During the summer and winter solstices to study the features of post-stress recovery of psychophysiological functions of laboratory rats after light or dark deprivation, followed by physical exertion and rehabilitation procedures in the form of water and antler baths. The experiment was carried out on 160 male Wistar rats. The animals were divided into 8 groups of 10 individuals at each solstice period (winter, summer). Group 1 was not exposed to any impact. Group 2 was presented with physical activity (swimming test). These two groups were in natural light conditions. Groups 3-8 underwent light desynchronosis (light or dark deprivation) followed by physical activity. After the above-mentioned influences, procedures were carried out in the form of water baths (groups 4 and 7) and baths with a preparation based on pantogematogen «Pantovanna» (groups 5 and 8). Behavioral responses were assessed using the open field test. The content of corticosterone was determined by enzyme immunoassay. During the periods of the winter solstice, dark or light deprivation increased the resistance of animals to the stress of subsequent physical activity, i.e. showed a training effect, while during the summer solstice the studied stress factors led to depletion of serum corticosterone levels, although the structure of behavior did not undergo significant changes. Post-stress recovery in the form of water and antler baths for 10 days was determined by the nature of desynchronosis and the solstice period. Pantobaths were effective in summer and winter only under TT conditions. However, in winter, after the CC-regime, the antlers intensified the stressful effect of physical activity on the animals' organism. The experiment carried out indicates the need to take into account the season of the year and the direction of the transmeridian flight to balneological resorts. Using the example of solstices in experimental conditions on rats, we have shown that balneological procedures will perform best the restorative functions when expanding as a result of such a movement of the light phase of the day, but not the dark one. It is possible that this feature can also persist for a person, since a more rapid adaptation to new light-dark conditions has been established also with the expansion of the light phase, but not the dark one.