The Effects of Restraint and Cold Restraint Stress on Coagulation Indicators in Wistar Albino Rats

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of restraint and cold restraint stress from acute stress protocols on coagulation indicators in rats. The study was conducted in 18 male Wistar albino rats aged 8-10 weeks with a body weight of 180-220 g. After a one-week adaptation period, the rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=6/group). The animals in the control group were not exposed to any stress. Rats in the restraint group were housed in restrainers designed for rats, and their movement was restricted for 2 hours at room temperature. Rats in the cold restraint group were kept in the restrainer at +4°C for 2 hours. Blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture under ketamine and xylazine anesthesia in Vacutainer® tubes containing 3.2% sodium citrate (0.109 M trisodium citrate). Coagulation indicators (aPTT, PT, INR, fibrinogen, and D-dimer) were analyzed using an automated analyzer (Roche Cobas t511, Switzerland). Although acute stress (restraint and cold restraint stress) had no effect on aPTT and D-dimer levels (p>0.05), it increased PT and INR values (p<0.05) and decreased fibrinogen concentration (p<0.05). Consequently, acute stress may lead to platelet hypofunction in rats by prolonging PT, increasing INR, and decreasing fibrinogen concentration.