Quercetin prevents alterations of behavioral parameters, delta‐aminolevulinic dehydratase activity, and oxidative damage in brain of rats in a prenatal model of autism. Issue 4 (22nd April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: de Mattos, Bruna da Silveira; Soares, Mayara Sandrielly Pereira; Spohr, Luiza; Pedra, Nathalia Stark; Teixeira, Fernanda Cardoso; de Souza, Anita Avila; Stefanello, Francieli Moro; Baldissarelli, Jucimara; Gamaro, Giovana Duzzo; Spanevello, Roselia Maria
• Is Part Of: International journal of developmental neuroscience. Issue 80:Issue 4(2020:Jun.)
• Page Start: 287
• Page End: 302
• Publication Date: 2020-04-22
• Subjects: autism -- brain -- nociception -- oxidative stress -- quercetin -- valproic acid; Developmental neurobiology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurologie du développement -- Périodiques; Developmental neurobiology; Periodicals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10025
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0736-5748

Abstract

Abstract: Autism is a neuropathology characterized by behavioral disorders. Considering that oxidative stress is involved in the pathophysiology of this disease, we evaluated the effects of quercetin, a flavonoid with antioxidant and neuroprotective properties, in an experimental model of autism induced by valproic acid (VPA). Twelve pregnant female rats were divided into four groups (control, quercetin, VPA, and VPA+quercetin). Quercetin (50 mg/kg) was administered orally to the animals from gestational days 6.5 to 18.5, and VPA (800 mg/kg) was administered orally in a single dosage on gestational day 12.5. Behavioral tests such as open field, social interaction, and tail flick nociceptive assays were performed on pups between 30 and 40 days old, after which the animals were euthanized. Cerebral cortex, hippocampus, striatum, and cerebellum were collected for evaluation of oxidative stress parameters. The pups exposed to VPA during the gestational period showed reduced weight gain, increased latency in the open field and tail flick tests, reduced time of social interaction, accompanied by changes in oxidative stress parameters mainly in the hippocampus and striatum. Prenatal treatment with quercetin prevented the behavioral changes and damage caused by oxidative stress, possibly due to its antioxidant action. Our findings demonstrated that quercetin has neuroprotective effects in an animal model of autism, suggesting that this natural molecule could be an important therapeutic agent for treatment of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Abstract : The pups exposed to valproic acid (VPA) during the gestational period showed reduced weight gain, increased latency in the open field and tail flick tests, reduced time of social interaction, accompanied by changes in oxidative stress parameters mainly in the hippocampus and striatum. Prenatal treatment with quercetin prevented the behavioral changes and damage caused by oxidative stress, possibly due to its antioxidant action. Quercetin can be a natural alternative to prevent changes associated with autism, especially if used by pregnant women in anticonvulsive therapy or mothers that have children with autism spectrum disorder who want to have other children.