Sorbic and benzoic acids affect adrenal morphology under chronic stress in male rats

Background: Chronic stress significantly impacts endocrine function, especially in the adrenal glands, which produce hormones essential for stress adaptation. Food preservatives such as sorbic and benzoic acids are widely used in the food industry, yet their long-term effects on the endocrine system under stressful conditions remain poorly understood. This study aimed to determine whether combined chronic stress and high-dose preservatives induce more pronounced structural changes in the adrenal glands of male rats than either factor alone.