title: Effects of immobilization stress on kidneys of Wistar male rats: a morphometrical and stereological analysis.
abstract: This paper verifies the morphological changes induced by immobilization stress on the kidney of rats by using stereological methods. Fifteen 4-week-old Wistar male rats were randomly assigned to control (n = 7) and stressed (n = 8) groups. Stress stimuli were performed over 5 weeks by immobilization of the rats for 2 h daily in a rigid opaque plastic cylinder that restrained their movements. Increases in the adrenal mass index (p < 0.05) and decreases in serum testosterone levels (p < 0.05) demonstrated the efficacy of the stressor stimuli. Stressed rats presented diminished body weight gain when compared to controls (p < 0.05). The mean values of kidney weight, kidney volume, kidney volume index and glomerular volume density were significantly lower in the stressed group (p < 0.05); nevertheless, no significant difference was found in the cortical/medullar ratio or in the volume-weighted mean glomerular volume. The number of glomeruli per kidney was 45% lower in the stressed group (p < 0.0001), but no change in serum creatinine levels was found. However, the morphological alterations may have serious implications predisposing individuals to renal disease and hypertension in adult life.
authors.affiliation: Urogenital Research Unit, IBRAG, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Diogo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Benchimol de Souza
authors.forename: Dilson
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Camila
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marinho Costa Silva
authors.forename: Francisco José
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Barcellos Sampaio
authors.forename: Waldemar
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Silva Costa
authors.forename: Célia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martins Cortez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology*; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012149:Restraint, Physical; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000523:psychology*