The present work is planned to study the histopathological changes that may occur in the stomach of the immobilized-stressed rats and the possible curative role of diazepam injected intraperitoneally with therapeutic dose (0.1 mg / kg BW) daily for 30 days. Eighty adult male albino rats weighing 110 ± 5 g were used and divided equally into eight groups, group(І) served as control rats; group(ІІ) rats treated with diazepam; group (ІІІ) , (ІV), and (V)served as stressed rats (10 animals each): in which the rats were immobilized individually for 2 hrs / day for different durations ( 5 , 15, and 30 days, respectively); groups (VI), (VII), and (VIII) served as immobilized- stressed rats (10 animals each) for 2 hrs / day for 5, 15 and 30 days and treated with diazepam for 30 days, respectively. The results recorded a significant increase in sera cortisol of the stressed - rats for 5, 15, and 30 days. Histological results of stomach demonstrated hypertrophy of parietal cells, detachment of gastric cells from the basement membrane, degeneration of the gastric glandular cells and irregular topography of the gastric gland. Appearance of karyolytic and pyknotic nuclei was also seen. Infiltration of inflammatory cells in lamina propria of mucosa was elucidated as well as congestion and dilatation of blood vessels. Moreover, the increment of collagen fibres in the lamina propria of mucosa and submucosa of the stressed rats was obviously demonstrated. These alterations were time-depended. Treatment with diazepam resulted in marked improvement and restoration of the histological changes. The results indicated that diazepam is recommended to be used as a curative drug to improve the disturbances in the stomach caused under the effect of stress.
Key words: Histology, Stomach, Rat, Stress, Benzodiazepines
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