Effect of Immobilization on Changes in Blood Glucose and Cholesterol Concentration in the Examined Mice – Preliminary Studies

Abstract

Introduction: Immobilization in animals may be an analogue of strong neurogenic stress in humans, in which an adaptive reaction aimed at energy mobilization of the system seems seemingly insignificant. The animal does not move, so it does not lose energy. However, there is an energy mobilization of the organism in which most regulatory organs and systems participate. Aim: To assess the extent of possible changes in glucose and plasma cholesterol concentration in mice subjected to immobilization. Material and Methods: The study was conducted on 40 female Swiss mice at the age of 12 weeks unselected and selected for a high rate of weight gain. Plasma concentrations of glucose and total cholesterol were determined. Results: Immobilization caused a significant reduction in glucose concentration (83%) and a significant increase in cholesterol (121%) in the plasma of mice selected in comparison to the control group. [From the analysis of multidirectional variance the significance of statistically confirmed differences induced by selection was revealed in relation to glucose [F = 21.81] and plasma cholesterol [F = 45.63]. Conclusions: The selection for high body weight had a significant effect on the level of the examined indicators. This may indicate that selected mice obtained greater protein gain in the form of larger body increases, with lower glucose levels, were forced to work more economically at the cellular level, managing their structural and energetic metabolites more carefully.