What is it about?
This study tested whether the maternal transport of dexamethasone (DEXA) may affect the development of the neuroendocrine system. DEXA (0.2 mg/kg b.w., subcutaneous injection) was administered to pregnant rats from gestation day (GD) 1-20. In the DEXA-treated group, a decrease in maternal serum thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and increase in thyrotropin (TSH) levels (hypothyroid status) were observed at GDs 15 & 20 with respect to control group. The reverse pattern (hyperthyroid status) was observed in their fetuses at embryonic days (EDs) 15 & 20. Although the maternal body weight was diminished, the weight of the thyroid gland was increased at studied GDs as compared to the control group. The fetal growth retardation, hyperleptinemia, hyperinsulinism, and cytokines distortions (transforming growth factor-beta; TGF-b, tumor necrosis factor-alpha; TNF-a, and interferon-g; IFN-g) were noticed at examined EDs if compared to the control group. Alternatively, the maternofetal thyroid dysfunctions due to the maternal DEXA administration attenuated the levels of fetal cerebral norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E), and elevated the levels of dopamine (DA) and 5- hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) at considered days. These alterations were age-dependent and might damage the nerve transmission. Finally, maternal DEXA might act as neuroendocrine disruptor causing dyshormonogenesis and fetal cerebral dysfunction.
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Why is it important?
The maternal transfer of DEXA was detected in fetus rat model caused impairment in the development of cerebrum via HPTA dysfunction and might delay the growth and differentiation of the neuroendocrine system. Thus, DEXA may act as endocrine- and neural-disrupting behaviors on the development of THs–cerebral axis
Perspectives
The maternofetal response to DEXA is likely to vary depending on the intensity, and timing of the administration applied during the gestation. This disruption may limit the therapeutic efficiency of the DEXA because any slight variations in thyroid function during the development can result in brain injury. Additional studies are required to clarify the probable relations with human health.
Full Professor Ahmed R. G.
Division of Anatomy and Embryology, Zoology department, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Egypt.
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Gestational dexamethasone alters fetal neuroendocrine axis, Toxicology Letters, September 2016, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2016.05.020.
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