The Effect of Immobilization Stress on the Induction of Diabetes Mellitus in Rats

Purpose: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of immobilization stress on the induction of diabetes mellitus in rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study 30 mature male rats with an average weight of 200-220 gr were randomly divided into three groups of ten each. Group I served as the control while the experiment groups were Group II (10 days) and Groups III (30 days), which were immobilized in restraining cages twice a day for 45 minutes each time. After the last induction of stress period, blood samples were taken. Glucose was analyzed via the glucose oxidase method, and the levels of glucocorticoid and insulin were determined by radio immunoassay. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. Results: The results showed that stress could affect the induction of diabetes by increasing blood glucose, insulin, and glucocorticoid; these changes, however, were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Our data showed that immobilization stress causes the induction of diabetes mellitus in rats.