[Lipid parameters of the skin, cerebellum, and medulla oblongata during immersion stress in rats]

The influence of short-form water immersion stress of rats on lipids in the skin, the cerebellum and the medulla oblongata was studied. The level of total lipids and absolute and relative contents of the main lipid fractions (phospholipids, nonesterified cholesterol, free fatty acids, triglycerides, and cholesterol esters) were measured. Stress induced delayed changes of the lipid component of the skin. The first significant changes of lipid fractions were only observed 20 h later after the stress procedure. These changes were retained (being at nearly constant levels) till the end of the second day. The decrease in contents of total lipids and esterified cholesterol was revealed in the cerebellum of stressed rats (in comparison to these levels in control rats). These results suggest the involvement of cholesterol metabolic system in the stress reaction. The content of total lipids decreased also in the medulla oblongata. However, levels of the main lipid fractions changed differently. The content of diglycerides increased and the content of cholesterol decreased. The data obtained suggest that degradation of triglycerides is the principle pathway of metabolic conversions of lipids. Free fatty acids formed during these processes are probably involved in the synthesis of phospholipids and cholesterol esters. The data indicate absolutely different mechanisms of interrelations between individual lipid fractions in the brain regions studied. Various roles of the brain structures in the stress response of the body may account for the differences revealed.