Gestational exposure to paracetamol in rats induces neurofunctional alterations in the progeny

Publication date: Available online 20 October 2019Source: Neurotoxicology and TeratologyAuthor(s): Rodrigo Moreno Klein, Camila Rigobello, Camila Borecki Vidigal, Kawane Fabrício Moura, Décio Sabbatini Barbosa, Daniela Cristina Ceccatto Gerardin, Graziela Scalianti Ceravolo, Estefânia Gastaldello MoreiraAbstractParacetamol (PAR) is an over-the-counter medicine used as analgesic or antipyretic by 40–50% of the pregnant women in different countries. Epidemiologic studies have been associating maternal use of PAR with neurodevelopmental disruption and special attention has been given to its potential to increase the odds for neurodevelopmental disorders, such as attention-deficit hyperactive disorder and autism spectrum disorder. Population-based research do not allow the establishment of causal relationships because variable control is weak. We aimed to evaluate the potential of PAR to induce developmental neurotoxicity in rats. Pregnant Wistar rats were gavaged with PAR (350 mg/kg/day) or water from gestational day 6 until delivery. General toxicity endpoints included dams' body weight and food intake as well as pups' body weight until weaning. Behavioral evaluation occurred at post-natal days 10 (nest seeking test), 27 (behavioral stereotypy), 28 (three chamber sociability test and open field) and 29 (hot plate and elevated plus-maze). Moreover, lipid hidroperoxide (LOOH), reduced glutathione (GSH) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels were quantified in ...
Source: Neurotoxicology and Teratology - Category: Toxicology Source Type: research