Introduction
Chronic stress is known to produce significant behavioral, endocrinological, and
neurobiological changes. N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) is commonly used as a safe
mucolytic drug. Sulpiride is a selective dopamine antagonist with antipsychotic and
antidepressant activity.
Aim
As the mechanism of stress is not known the aim of this work was to evaluate the
histological and immunohistochemical changes that might occur in rat ovaries after
stress exposure and the possible protective effect of sulpiride and NAC.
Materials and methods
Thirty-six rats were divided into four groups: group I was the control group (n=6);
group ΙΙ (n=6) was injected with sulpiride at 0.28 mg/kg body weight/day for
1 month; group ΙIΙ (n=6) was injected with NAC at 150 mg/kg body weight
intraperitoneally for 5 days; group ΙV (the stress group) (n=18) was divided into three
equal subgroups: subgroup ΙVa, in which rats were exposed to crowding only for 1
month, subgroup ΙVb, in which rats were exposed to crowding along with sulpiride
treatment for 1 month, and subgroup ΙVc, in which rats were exposed to crowding for
1 month along with NAC treatment for 5 days.
Results
Stress resulted in a significant increase in luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating
hormone, and prolactin levels and a significant decrease in progesterone and
estrogen levels. Sulpiride treatment resulted in a significant decrease in progesterone
and estrogen levels and increase in prolactin, with decreased reaction for estrogen
receptor. NAC led to a significant increase in the level of estrogen and progesterone,
with no effects on other parameters, and increased reaction for estrogen receptor.
The ovary of both the stress and the sulpiride group revealed cystically dilated follicles
lined with granulose cells separated by a proliferation of ovarian stroma (luteinized
stromal cells). NAC-treated group showed decreased number of atretic follicles and
thickness of theca layer.
Conclusion
NAC had a protective role against the induced damage but sulpiride did not
counteract the impairing effects of stress. It is beneficial to use NAC in people
exposed to stress. |
