The Independent and Combined Effects of Omega-3 and Vitamin B12 in Ameliorating Propionic Acid Induced Biochemical Features in Juvenile Rats as Rodent Model of Autism

AbstractMetabolites of proper fatty acids modulate the inflammatory response and are essential for normal brain development; equally, abnormal fatty acid metabolism plays a critical role in the pathology of autism. Currently, dietary supplements are often used to improve the core symptoms of Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The present study analyzed the effects of orally supplemented omega-3 ( ω-3) and vitamin B12 on ameliorating oxidative stress and impaired lipid metabolism in a propionic acid (PPA)-induced rodent model of autism, together with their effect on the gut microbial composition, where great fluctuations in the bacterial number and strains were observed; interestingly, polyu nsaturated fatty acids such as omega-3 induced higher growth of the gram-positive bacteriumStaphylococcus aureus and decreased the survival rates ofClostridia sp. as well as other enteric bacterial strains. Thirty-five young male western albino rats were divided into five equal groups. The first group served as the control; the second group was given an oral neurotoxic dose of PPA (250  mg/kg body weight/day) for 3 days. The third group received an oral dose of ω-3 (200 mg/kg body weight/day) for 30 days after the 3-day PPA treatment. Group four was given an oral dose of vitamin B12 (16.7 mg/kg/day) for 30 days after PPA treatment. Finally, group five was given a combinatio n of both ω-3 and vitamin B12 at the same dose for the same duration after PPA treatment. Biochemical parameter...
Source: Journal of Molecular Neuroscience - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research