Role of Rotatory Cage Induced Stress on Alteration of Liver Function in Male Wistar Rats

E. Jeroh, C.P. Aloamaka and E.K. Nwangwa

Background and Objective: Stress has been observed to alter male reproductive function through the effect of HPA on the adult male Wistar rat. Humans are consistently being exposed to stressful conditions on daily basis. The objective of this study was to determine the role of rotatory cage induced stress on the alteration of liver function in male Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: The effect of exposure to a stressor on liver function test of male Wistar rats was carried out in this study using 72 adult male Wistar rats. The rats used were weighed between 180 and 240 g. The rats were obtained from the Animal House of Delta State University, Abraka. The animals were allowed to acclimatize to the laboratory condition for 2 weeks. They were divided into group 1 (1 week exposure) group 2 (2 weeks exposure) and group 3 (3 weeks exposure) to the stressor. Each of the groups was further divided into control, with stress duration of 1, 3 and 5 hrs containing six (6) rats each. Data generated were expressed as Mean±SEM. Data generated were statistically analyzed using One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and a student t-test to compare the means, p<0.05 was considered significant. Results: The results showed a significant (p<0.05) stepwise decrease in cholestasis markers as evidenced by the decrease in Alanine Phosphatase (ALP) due to exposure of the rats to stressors for 1, 3 and 5 hrs relative to control rats. The results for ALT showed upon exposure to stressors for 1, 3 and 5 hrs, there was a significant (p<0.05) stepwise decrease in ALT when compared to the control irrespective of the duration of treatment with the 5 hrs exposure group showing a greater decrease in liver ALT relative to the rat's control group. The result for liver Aspartate Transaminase (AST) showed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in serum AST relative to 1 hr and control treatment group. Conclusion: However, the result of the rats following exposure to stressors for 5 hrs shows a greater significant (p<0.05) decrease relative to 1, 3 hrs and the control exposure group irrespective of the duration of exposure.

View Fulltext Back