Changes in biochemical indicators of blood of rats of different sex in posttraumatic stress disorders

Abstract

Introduction. The war in Ukraine, the difficult ecological situation, socio-economic hardships, the acceleration of the rhythm of life and the increase in information load contribute to the emergence and development of constant tension in the body of modern man, the manifestation of which is the stress reaction. This provokes exhaustion and disruption of the adaptive capabilities of the body and the development of diseases. One of the types of such pathology is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The relevance of this problem currently determines the need for in-depth study of individual links of their pathogenesis.

The purpose of the study is to determine the effect of PTSD on biochemical blood indexes of  different sexes rats.

Materials and methods. The experiment was performed on 40 different sexes Wistar rats, weighing 180-200 g, aged 4 months. They were kept on a standard vivarium diet with free access to drinking water throughout the entire experimental period. The rats were divided into 4 groups, according to sex: males and females in equal numbers – control males (I), control females (II), post-traumatic stress disorder, males (III), post-traumatic stress disorder, females (IV). Modeling of PTSD was carried out by 4 stressors using one by one twice. This preclinical model reflects molecular and physiological changes that repeat the same changes observed in post-traumatic stress disorder in humans. Biochemical methods of the study included determination in blood serum of the concentration of diene conjugates (DC), superoxide dismutase activity (SOD).

Research results and their discussion. When analyzing lipid peroxidation indicators in animals of group III, compared to animals of the control group (I), was detected an increase in DC by 49.5% (p<0.001) while in animals of group IV, compared to animals of the control group (II), was detected an increase in DC by 1.9 times (p<0.001). When comparing the impact of PTSD on LPO processes, it was found that in group IV animals, compared to group III, DCs were 1.1 times higher (p<0.001).

As for the antioxidant system, in the blood serum of rats of group III, compared to animals of I group, a decrease in SOD by 23.50% (p<0.001) was detected, and in animals of IV group, compared to animals of the control group, was detected a decrease in SOD by 10% (p<0.001). When comparing the degree of influence of PTSD on the enzymatic system of antioxidant defense in rats, it was found that in group III animals, compared to group IV, SOD was lower by 38.3% (p<0.001).

Conclusion. Posttraumatic stress disorder causes activation of lipid peroxidation in the body of rats, but its magnitude depends on gender and is more pronounced in females. In response to the activation of free radical oxidation processes, the activity of the antioxidant system is suppressed, which is more pronounced in males.