Differential Effects of Intrauterine Growth Restriction on the Regional Neurochemical Profile of the Developing Rat Brain

Abstract

Background Intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) infants are at increased risk for neurodevelopmental deficits that suggest the hippocampus and cerebral cortex may be particularly vulnerable. Objective Evaluate regional neurochemical profiles in IUGR and normally grown (NG) 7-day old rat pups using in vivo 1H magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy at 9.4T. Methods IUGR was induced via bilateral uterine artery ligation at gestational day 19 in pregnant Sprague Dawley dams. MR spectra were obtained from the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and striatum at P7 in IUGR (N=12) and NG (N=13) rats. Results In the cortex, IUGR resulted in lower concentrations of phosphocreatine, glutathione, taurine, total choline, total creatine (P<0.01) and [glutamate]/[glutamine] ratio (P <0.05). Lower taurine concentrations were observed in the hippocampus (P<0.01) and striatum (P <0.05). Conclusion IUGR differentially affects the neurochemical profile of the P7 rat brain regions. Persistent neurochemical changes may lead to cortex-based long-term neurodevelopmental deficits in human IUGR infants.

N-Carbamylglutamate and l-arginine supplementation improve hepatic antioxidant status in intrauterine growth-retarded suckling lambs

“…As such, numerous oxidative reactions would have begun and eventually led to oxidative injury. In the present study, the IUGR-induced increased hepatocyte apoptosis as well as necrosis level detected by Annexin V-FITC staining agreed with prior research in brain, 42 kidney, 43 small intestine 8 and placenta. 44 Such nding suggested that IUGR inuenced liver development as well as metabolism through increasing apoptotic activity.…”

Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia differentially alters the neurochemical profiles of the developing cerebellum and hippocampus in a preterm Gunn rat model

“…In addition, multislice MRI data did not have sufficient 3D spatial resolution for an accurate assessment of CSF in selected VOIs. We decided to use MM content as a reference for these two reasons: (a) reliability and precision of MM quantification was very high (CRLB = 1–2% in cerebellum); (b) we have not observed significant differences in MM content between experimental and control groups in any of the developing rat or mouse models we have investigated over the last two decades 13,16,24,41–44 . In addition, MM content was nearly identical in the hippocampus of jaundiced and control rats of the present study (difference = 0.6%, p = 0.85).…”

Neonatal hair metabolome of birthweight discordant twins is associated with neurobehavioral impairments at 2-3 years of age

“…30 Animal models of FGR have shown oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in the brain 31 with decreased concentrations of GSH in various cerebral cortex regions, including the temporoparietal, frontal, and occipital lobes after 90 minutes of hypoxia. 32 This suggested that the cortex may be more vulnerable to injury due to oxidative stress than other regions and this may have long-term neurodevelopmental implications.…”