The effect of acute psychological stress on insulin release ability from rat isolated pancreatic islets

Nowadays according to our life style high percent of people are exposed to different acute stressors which may result in various metabolic disorders. In order to more clarify the effect of acute psychological stress، which is very common in the societies، on insulin secretion from isolated islets the present study was designed. Animals were divided into control and experimental groups (n= 6/group). Stress was induced acutely by a communication box. Then insulin secretion from isolated islets of Langerhans was studied statically. Plasma glucose، insulin and corticosterone levels were measured. In addition the adrenal glands’ weight was also evaluated. Acute psychological stress did not change basal plasma corticosterone levels significantly. Whereas، immediately after acute exposure to stress، plasma corticosterone level significantly increased compared to the control group. Acute stress increased plasma insulin concentration markedly. The weight of adrenal glands and HOMA-IR index showed no significant change in the experimental group. Stress exposure resulted in no significant change of insulin secretion from islets. From the results of the present study، it could be concluded that application of acute psychological stress، despite the significant increase of plasma corticosterone concentration did not change insulin secretion from isolated islets of Langerhans.