A single exposure of rats to water-immersion restraint stress induces oxidative stress more severely in the thymus than in the spleen

Objectives: We examined whether a single exposure of rats to water-immersion restraint stress (WIRS) induces oxidative stress in the thymus and spleen. Methods: Vitamin E, ascorbic acid, reduced glutathione (GSH), and lipid peroxide (LPO) were assayed in the thymus and spleen of rats with and without 6 hours of WIRS. Results: In unstressed rats, vitamin E, ascorbic acid, GSH, and LPO levels were higher in the thymus than in the spleen. Thymic ascorbic acid level was lower in stressed rats than in unstressed rats. Splenic ascorbic acid level was similar in both groups. Thymic and splenic GSH levels were lower in stressed rats than in unstressed rats but the reduced amount of GSH was lower in the spleen than in the thymus. Thymic vitamin E level was lower in stressed than in unstressed rats. Splenic vitamin E level was higher in stressed rats than in unstressed rats. Thymic and splenic LPO levels were higher in stressed rats than in unstressed rats but the increased amount of LPO was higher in the thymus than in the spleen. Conclusion: It is indicated that a single expose of rats to WIRS induces oxidative stress more severely in the thymus than in the spleen.