Effect of Social Isolation on Serum Electrolytes and Cortisol Level in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Background: Social isolation (SI) is a source of chronic stress in adults. Loneliness is, therefore, a function of the relationship quality and not quantity. This study evaluated the effect of social isolation on serum electrolytes and cortisol levels in Wistar rats. Methods: Twenty-four Wistar rats of both sexes (12 male and 12 females) were randomly divided into four groups: Group 1 and Group 2 (as control), and Group 3 and Group 4 (experiment) with six individually caged Wistar rats each. The animals had access to food and water ad libitum , were weighed weekly and observed the level of physical activity. After six weeks of isolation, blood was collected from the animals via ocular puncture for serum cortisol, sodium, and potassium ion analysis. All data were analyzed using SPSS software version 25.0. Values were considered significant at P < 0.05. Results: Results showed a significant decrease in mean serum sodium ion (137.78 +/- 2.9, 113.88 +/- 2.9, P = 0.004) and increase in mean calcium ion (2.74 +/- 0.24, 4.49 +/- 0.24, P = 0.003) and increase in mean serum potassium (4.92 +/- 0.29, 7.43 +/- 0.29, P = 0.003) a decrease in isolated males mean serum chloride (100.13 +/- 0.79, 93.50 +/- 0.79, P = 0.003) levels. Conclusion: Our findings showed the social isolation for six weeks induced electrolyte imbalance in rats (below and above the physiological range).