Effect of acute heat stress on adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol, interleukin‑2, interleukin‑12 and apoptosis gene expression in rats

Wang,Li; Liu,Fadong; Luo,Yan; Zhu,Lingqin; Li,Guanghua

doi:10.3892/br.2015.445

Effect of acute heat stress on adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol, interleukin‑2, interleukin‑12 and apoptosis gene expression in rats

Authors:
- Li Wang
- Fadong Liu
- Yan Luo
- Lingqin Zhu
- Guanghua Li
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Affiliations: Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
Published online on: March 20, 2015 https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2015.445
Pages: 425-429

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Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of acute heat stress on the neuroendocrine and immunological function in rats. Male Sprague‑Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups and respectively exposed to heat (32˚C) or to room temperature (24˚C). After 7 days of heat exposure, the heat‑stress rat model was established. The organ coefficients of the pituitary and adrenal glands were determined. The body temperature was measured by telemetry. The average contents of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol (Cor), interleukin‑2 (IL‑2) and IL‑12 in serum were detected. The expression of apoptotic genes in the spleen was measured. The results showed that acute heat stress did not evidently affect the body temperature and body weight (P>0.05), but the exposure increased the organ coefficients of the pituitary and adrenal glands (P<0.05). Heat exposure significantly elevated the level of ACTH, Cor, IL‑2 and IL‑12 (P<0.05). The expression of caspase‑3 and Bax were not changed significantly (P>0.05), while Bcl2 was reduced (P<0.05).

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