Effects of stress on serum and hippocampal IL-1β and glucose levels as well as retention in rats

Abstract

Objectives: Stress is defined as a potential risk factor in the development of different neuropsychological disorders. Chronic stress dramatically affects retention as memory. The present study investigated the effects of different stress durations and recovery periods on serum and hippocampal IL-1β and glucose levels as well as retention in rats. Methods: Rats were randomly allocated to four groups: Control -(Co), Stress-Rest -(St-Re), Rest-Stress -(Re-St), and Stress-Stress- (St-St). Restraint stress was applied 6 h/day over the two experimental periods of 21 and 42 -days. Results: The total dark compartment stay time- (DS) in the passive avoidance test was used for the assessment of retention at different intervals. Findings indicated that retention was significantly impaired at different intervals in the Re-St and St-St treatment groups compared to the Co; however, no indication was found that these changes occurred via enhanced IL-1β and glucose levels. Conclusion: There may have been protective mechanisms involved hindering the changes in IL-1β and glucose levels in the hippocampus. Also, much longer stress durations might lead to adaptive effects on the variables. © 2017, Association of Physiologists and Pharmacologists of India. All rights reserved.