Maha Al-Askar1, Ramesa Shafi Bhat1, Manar Selim2, Laila Al-Ayadhi3,4,5, Afaf El-Ansary6,7,8. 1. Department of Biochemistry, Science College, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 2. Department of Zoology, Science College, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 3. Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 4. Autism Research and Treatment Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 5. Shaik AL-Amodi Autism Research Chair, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 6. Central Laboratory, Female Center for Medical Studies and Scientific Section, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. elansary@ksu.edu.sa. 7. Autism Research and Treatment Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. elansary@ksu.edu.sa. 8. Shaik AL-Amodi Autism Research Chair, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. elansary@ksu.edu.sa.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Valproic acid (VPA) is used as a first-line antiepileptic agent and is undergoing clinical trials for use as a treatment for many disorders. Mothers undergoing VPA treatment during early pregnancy reportedly show increased rates of autism among their offspring. The benefits of curcumin supplementation were investigated using an animal model of VPA-induced autism. METHODS: The study was performed using a rodent model of autism by exposing rat fetuses to valproic acid (VPA) on the 12.5th day of gestation. At 7 days from their birth, the animals were supplemented with a specific dose of curcumin. Forty neonatal male Western Albino rats were divided into four groups. Rats in group I received only phosphate-buffered saline, rats in group II were the prenatal VPA exposure newborns, rats in group III underwent prenatal VPA exposure supplemented with postnatal curcumin, and rats in group IV were given only postnatal curcumin supplements. RESULTS: VPA rats exhibited delayed maturation and lower body and brain weights with numerous signs of brain toxicity, such as depletion of IFN-γ, serotonin, glutamine, reduced glutathione, glutathione S-transferase, lipid peroxidase with an increase in CYP450, IL-6, glutamate, and oxidized glutathione. A curcumin supplement moderately corrected these dysfunctions and was especially noticeable in improving delayed maturation and abnormal weight. CONCLUSIONS: Curcumin plays a significant therapeutic role in attenuating brain damage that has been induced by prenatal VPA exposure in rats; however, its therapeutic role as a dietary supplement still must be certified for use in humans.
BACKGROUND:Valproic acid (VPA) is used as a first-line antiepileptic agent and is undergoing clinical trials for use as a treatment for many disorders. Mothers undergoing VPA treatment during early pregnancy reportedly show increased rates of autism among their offspring. The benefits of curcumin supplementation were investigated using an animal model of VPA-induced autism. METHODS: The study was performed using a rodent model of autism by exposing rat fetuses to valproic acid (VPA) on the 12.5th day of gestation. At 7 days from their birth, the animals were supplemented with a specific dose of curcumin. Forty neonatal male Western Albino rats were divided into four groups. Rats in group I received only phosphate-buffered saline, rats in group II were the prenatal VPA exposure newborns, rats in group III underwent prenatal VPA exposure supplemented with postnatal curcumin, and rats in group IV were given only postnatal curcumin supplements. RESULTS:VPArats exhibited delayed maturation and lower body and brain weights with numerous signs of brain toxicity, such as depletion of IFN-γ, serotonin, glutamine, reduced glutathione, glutathione S-transferase, lipid peroxidase with an increase in CYP450, IL-6, glutamate, and oxidized glutathione. A curcumin supplement moderately corrected these dysfunctions and was especially noticeable in improving delayed maturation and abnormal weight. CONCLUSIONS:Curcumin plays a significant therapeutic role in attenuating brain damage that has been induced by prenatal VPA exposure in rats; however, its therapeutic role as a dietary supplement still must be certified for use in humans.
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