Changes to GFAP Immunoreactive Astrocytes in Medial Prefrontal Cortex Following Exposure to Chronic Stress and Antioxidant Supplementation in Rat Model
https://doi.org/10.47836/mjmhs.19.2.7
- Author:
Mohd Asnizam Asari
1
;
Faizah Md Nawi
1
;
Mohammad Syabil Ikhwan Mohd Amin
1
;
Nurul Aiman Mohd Yusof
1
;
KNS Sirajudeen
2
Author Information
1. Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
2. Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Kulliyyah of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Astrocyte, Glial cell, GFAP, Honey, Antioxidant
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences
2023;19(No.2):35-41
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: Astrocytes are responsible for many essential functions of neurons in CNS. It has been recognised that
chronic stress affects the morphology of astrocyte. Natural antioxidant such as honey has been used as one of the
therapeutic strategies to lessen the damaging effect of chronic stress on our body. Therefore, the aim of the study is
to explore the effect of natural antioxidant, Tualang honey (TH) on the morphology of astrocytes following chronic
stress exposure. Methods: Thirty-two male rats were randomly divided into the 4 groups: (i) control, (ii) stress, (iii)
honey, (iv) stress plus honey groups.TH was administered via oral gavage at dose of 1.0 g/kg body weight pre and
post experiment. Chronic stress was exposed to animals in group (ii) and (iv) for consecutive 21 days. Anti GFAP
immunohistochemistry method was employed to label astrocytes in the medial prefrontal cortex. The number of
GFAP+ astrocytes and several parameters related to astrocyte processes were measured. Results: The present study
showed that chronic stress reduced the GFAP immunoreactive astrocyte number and percentage of GFAP immunoreactive material. Chronic stress also caused a reduction in astrocyte process ramification as indicated by a reduction
in astrocyte total number of processes, average length of processes and maximum number of intersections. However,
antioxidant treatment using TH could not reverse these stress-induced changes to the astrocytes. Conclusion: These
results demonstrate that chronic stress decreases the number of GFAP immunoreactive astrocyte and cause shrinking
of astrocyte processes in stress-sensitive brain region, but these changes cannot be reversed by antioxidant treatment.
- Full text:11.2023my1457.pdf
