The Effect of Stress on IL-17 Levels in an OVA-immunized Mice Allergic Model

Objective: Evaluate the effect of stress on eosinophil count, levels of cortisol and levels of IL-17 in an OVA-immunized Mice Allergic model. Method: Eight teen female BALB/c mice divided into 3 groups. Negative control in group 1, Allergy control in group 2 group received ovalbumin sensitization only and stress treatment in Group 3 received ovalbumin sensitization and stress using water-immersion stress test on day 24th, 26th and 30th. All mice are terminated on 31st day, lungs and blood sample are collected and measured for eosinophil count microscopically, level of cortisol and level of IL-17 using ELISA. Results: Mean eosinophil count for group 1 is 0.48 per high power field (hpf), group 2 is 2,13 hpf, group 3 0.8 hpf. Mean cortisol level for group 1 is 9.13 ng/mL, group 2 is 10.85 ng/mL, group 3 25.47 ng/mL. Mean IL-17 level for group 1 66.71 pg/mL, group 2 is 22.36 pg/mL, group 3 is 26.38 pg/mL. Conclusion: The number of eosinophils in the allergy control in group 2 (2.13/hpf) was significantly higher than the negative control in group 1 (0.48/hpf) (p = 0.004). Levels of cortisol in the stress treatment in group 3 (25.47 ng/mL) were not significantly different from the allergy control in group 2 (10.85 ng / mL) (p = 0.180). Levels of IL-17 in the stress treatment in group 3 (26.38 pg / mL) did not differ significantly from the allergy control in group 2 (22.36) (p = 0.394).