Ammonia exposition during gestation induces neonatal oxidative damage in the brain and long-term cognitive alteration in rats.

Ammonia exposition during gestation induces neonatal oxidative damage in the brain and long-term cognitive alteration in rats. An Acad Bras Cienc. 2020;92(4):e20190925 Authors: Dominguini D, Dall'igna DM, Nogueira L, Steckert AV, GonÇalves RC, Michels M, Quevedo J, Ritter C, Barichello T, Dal-Pizzol F Abstract Ammonia is involved in the pathogenesis of neurological conditions associated with hyperammonemia, including hepatic encephalopathy. Few is known about the effects of gestational exposition to ammonia in the developing brain, and the possible long-term consequences of such exposure. We aimed to evaluate the effects of ammonia exposure during the gestation and the possible long-term cognitive alterations on pups. Eight female rats were divided into two groups: (1) control (saline solution); (2) ammonia (ammonium acetate, 2,5mmol/Kg). Each rat received a single subcutaneous injection during all gestational period. The brains from 1-day-old rats were obtained to the determination of thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS), protein carbonyl and nitrite/nitrate levels. Some animals were followed 30 days after delivery and were subjected to the step-down inhibitory avoidance task. It was observed a significant increase in protein carbonyl, but not TBARS or nitrite/nitrate levels, in pups exposed to ammonia. Rats exposed to ammonia presented long-term cognitive impairment. Gestational exposition to ammonia induces protein oxidat...
Source: An Acad Bras Cienc - Category: Science Authors: Tags: An Acad Bras Cienc Source Type: research