Indices of oxidative stress in the brain of newborn rats subjected to prenatal hyperhomocysteinemia

Abstract

We studied the influence of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHC), which was induced in rats during pregnancy by a methionine load, on the indices of free-radical oxidation and antioxidant defense (AOD) in the brains of newborn pups. HHC in maternal body results in dysfunction of the endothelium, which plays an important role during the development of obstetrical pathologies that are related to the disruption of the uterus-placenta and fetus-placenta blood flow. Experimental HHC was induced by daily oral administration of methionine (0.6 mg/kg) to female rats during their entire pregnancy. In the brain and blood serum of newborn rats, we measured the indices of oxidative stress (OS) and AOD. In newborn animals whose dams were treated with methionine during their entire pregnancy, the level of the homocysteine content (HC) during the first day of life was higher than in the control and they had a significantly decreased body weight as compared to the control group. In the brain of rat pups, we found increased levels of the products of oxidative modification of proteins and DNA and a decrease in the total antioxidant activity (TAA) and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD). The blood serum of the animals that were subjected to prenatal HHC had decreased SOD activity compared to the control group. Our results are in agreement with the ideas that an increased HC content during pregnancy results in the development of OS and an increase in the risk of development of structural and functional disruptions of the central nervous system of the fetus, which may be followed by a decrease in cognitive functions in the progeny.