The effects of MEPaL on oxidative stress and motor function in the rats affected by prenatal hypoxia

Abstract

Background and objectives: Maternal hypoxia disrupts neural development and subsequently leads to cerebral palsy and epilepsy in newborns. Hypoxia plays a role in neurodegeneration by increasing oxidative stress. Pistacia atlantica is known as an important antioxidant, and its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects have been shown in various studies. This study aims to investigate the effects of methanolic extract of P. atlantica leaves (MEPaLs) on the oxidative parameters in the serum of rats affected by maternal hypoxia.

Material and methods: In this study, eight pregnant rats were used. The newborns were divided into four groups, including the control and the hypoxia groups, which are affected by maternal hypoxia, hypoxia + MEPaL 100 mg/kg, and hypoxia + MEPaL 150 mg/kg. MEPaL was injected (i.p) for 21 days into the neonatal rats after the lactation period. Hypoxia was induced by keeping pregnant rats in a hypoxic chamber with 7% oxygen and 93% nitrogen intensity for 3 h on the 20th day of pregnancy. Behavioral changes were measured using open-field and rotarod tests. Finally, biomarkers of oxidative stress, nitric oxide (NO), glutathione (GSH), GSSG, TAS, TOS, and oxidative stress index (OSI) were measured in the experimental groups.

Results: Behavioral results showed that the anxiety behavior in the hypoxia group increased, but the motor activity (moved distance and movement speed) decreased. Moreover, the amount of time spent maintaining balance on the rotarod rod was significantly decreased in the hypoxia group. The concentration of NO in the group of hypoxia + MEPaL 100 mg/kg showed a significant decrease, and MEPaL 100, and 150 mg/kg + hypoxia also increased the concentration of GSH and decreased GSSG. In addition, MEPaL100 and 150 mg/kg caused a significant increase in the ratio of GSH to GSSG and decreased OSI and total oxidant capacity.

Conclusions: Oxidative stress increased in the rats affected by maternal hypoxia and may be the main mechanism for motor activity impairment and balance disturbance, whereas MELaL improved motor performance by decreasing oxidative stress.

Keywords: balance; hypoxia; locomotor activity; methanolic extract of Pistacia atlantica leaves; oxidative stress; pregnancy; rat.