Effect of Postnatal Administration of Vitamin E on Autistic-like Behavior in a Rat Model of Autism
Subject Areas :
Azin Sadat Seyed Atashi
1
,
Hamid Sepehri
2
1 - Department of physiology, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
2 - , Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.
Keywords: vitamin E, autism, T-maze, behavioral disorder,
Abstract :
Background & aim: autism spectrum disorders (ASD) represent a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental syndromes that are clinically characterized by deficits in social interactionand repetitive behaviors . The pathogenesis of ASD is complex and not fully disclosed. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that has strong antioxidant activity. Previous studies have reported decreased plasma levels of vitamin E in autism spectrum patients and beneift effect of prenatal treatment . The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of two week postnatal treatment of vitamin E on autism-like behavior in rats exposed to VPA. Materials and methods: pregnant rats were divided into two groups from the 14th day of pregnancy, one group received only normal food and water, and the other group was injected with valproic sodium on the 14th day of pregnancy. The offspring were tested for repetitive behaviors and cognitive ability with a T-maze task and social interaction with a play behavior task on 44st of Postnatal daysResults: Administration of vitamin E in mice treated with VPA increased cognitive flexibility compared to VPA treatment alone. Vitamin E treatment of mice treated with VPA led to the improved social behavior of pinning with strange mice . Administration of vitamin E in VPA-treated mice did not improve any of the social behaviors including sniffing, running, and grooming compared to valproic acid treatment aloneConclusion: The findings of the present study showed that vitamin E treatment improves cognitive flexibility and to some extent social behaviors in autistic rats.
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