Effect of Chronic Noise Stress on Serum Glucose and Lipids and Morphology of Langerhans Islets in Neonatal Rats

Background: Environmental noise is a known stressful factor that induces alterations of various physiological responses in the exposed individuals. It is known very little about the effect of prenatal noise stress on the serum glucose, lipids and morphology of Langerhans islets in neonatal rats. Objectives: In the present study the effect of chronic noise stress on hyperglycemia and lipid profile and morphology of Langerhans islets in neonatal rats, has been investigated. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 8 Wistar pregnant rats were exposed chronically to intermittent white noise during their pregnancy periods (dark cycle, 7 pm 7 am). Stressed puppies bred under before condition up to 3 months of age. Then both groups were sacrificed. Serum glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol levels were determined at first week, 4th and 12th weeks after birth. Morphology of Langerhans islets in mature rats was evaluated using Gomori staining method. Results: Noise did have a significant hyperglycemic effect at 4th and 12th in rats. In addition, serum LDL-cholesterol levels in noise group significantly increased as compared to control group. Also, noise affected group showed significant difference with control group regarding level of serum triglyceride and total cholesterol. Regarding histology of Langerhans islets, noise affected group showed a lower number and granularity of beta cells and also periphery of Langerhans islets are significantly reduced as compared to control group. Conclusions: Noise has a significant hyperglycemic effect and increase lipid profile, also leads to appropriate changes in serum lipids in neonatal and postnatal rats.