Comparative analysis of acute and chronic stress-induced neurobehavioral alteration and liver injury in mice

Backgrounds Recent research has shown that stress has a significant influence on the functions of many organs. Objective The present study investigated the effect of acute or chronic restraint stress on physiological and psychological processes. Results In the acute stress group, body weight and food intake did not change, but in the chronic stress group, food intake significantly increased and body weight was significantly inhibited. ALT and AST levels were significantly increased by both groups. Acute and chronic restraint stress led to different behavioral changes. Serum levels of corticosterone and cortisol were more increased in chronic stress than in acute stress. The levels of neurons and astrocyte in the hippocampus, and the NeuN-positive neuronal cells remained unaffected by acute stress, but were decreased by chronic stress. GFAP-positive astrocytes were increased by both groups. Conclusion In summary, our study provides evidence of a relationship between liver injury and behavioral change upon exposure to restraint stress.