Abstract
The present study was designed to evaluate the role of free radicals in restraint stress (RS)-induced inflammation and modulation of immune responses in rats.The modulation of immune system and disruption of homeostasis occurs by any external or internal stimulus which is known as stress. The results of the present study revealed that exposure to acute restraint stress (RSx1) significantly suppressed total and differential WBC counts however the changes in eosinophil and macrophages were found to be constant. Exposure to RS(x1) also suppressed cell-mediated immune responses in the delayed type hyper sensitivity (DTH) assay. Further, analysis of oxidative stress parameters revealed the increment of MDA and reduced GSH levels in blood. Pretreatment with the antioxidant L-ascorbic acid (200 mg/kg i.p) attenuated the RS induced modulation in the markers of immunity and oxidative stress. Hence, these results highlighted the participation of reactive oxygen species in stress-induced immunomodulation and inflammation as well as counteracting potential antioxidants in such aversive situations.