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ELECTROMAGNETIC STIMULATION REGULATES BLOOD CORTICOSTERONE LEVELS IN IMMOBILIZED RATS: GENDER DIFFERENCES
N Bukia1, L Machavariani2, M Butskhrikidze2
11LEPL Ivane Beritashvili Center of Experimental Biomedicine, Tbilisi; 2Caucasus International University, Tbilisi, Georgia.
Georgian Medical News
|November 24, 2024
Summary
Electromagnetic stimulation (EMS) and oxytocin (OXY) normalize stress hormone levels in rats. These treatments, particularly in intact rats, help regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis following chronic stress.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Stress Physiology
- Behavioral Neuroscience
Background:
- Chronic stress and immobilization increase corticosterone (CORT) levels, dysregulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.
- This dysregulation affects both male and female rats, impacting their physiological responses.
- Understanding sex-based differences in stress response is crucial for developing targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of electromagnetic stimulation (EMS) and oxytocin (OXY) on blood CORT levels in immobilized rats.
- To examine how sex hormones influence the efficacy of EMS and OXY in modulating stress responses.
- To determine if EMS and OXY can restore normal HPA axis function after chronic immobilization stress.
Main Methods:
- Immobilization stress was applied to intact and gonadectomized male and female rats for varying durations.
- Blood samples were collected to measure corticosterone (CORT) levels.
- Electromagnetic stimulation (EMS) and intranasal oxytocin (IN OXY) were administered after immobilization sessions.
- Intracerebroventricular (ICV) oxytocin administration was also performed.
Main Results:
- Immobilization stress significantly increased blood CORT levels in all rats, indicating HPA axis dysregulation.
- Repeated EMS and IN OXY treatments effectively normalized blood CORT levels in both sexes.
- The normalizing effects of EMS and IN OXY were more pronounced in intact rats compared to gonadectomized rats.
- EMS and IN OXY were shown to enhance the negative feedback mechanism of CORT.
Conclusions:
- Both EMS and OXY are effective in normalizing elevated CORT levels caused by chronic immobilization stress.
- Sex hormones play a significant role in the stress-modulating effects of EMS and OXY.
- These findings suggest that EMS and OXY can restore HPA axis function and enhance stress resilience, particularly in the presence of intact hormonal systems.
