Histological and immunohistochemical study on the effect of prenatal exposure to valporic acid on cerebellar cortex of albino rat ’s offspring and the possible protective effect of l-carnitine

Hassan, Salma Magdy; Mahmoud, Samah Mohamed; Desouky, Mohammed Ahmad; Abd Al-baky, Fatma Al Zahraa Fouad; Ata, Medhat

doi:10.21608/mjmr.2025.173417.1217

Histological and immunohistochemical study on the effect of prenatal exposure to valporic acid on cerebellar cortex of albino rat ’s offspring and the possible protective effect of l-carnitine

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Anatomy department,faculty of medicine,Minia university,Minia,Egypt

² anatomy department,faculty of medicine,Minia university,Minia,Egypt

10.21608/mjmr.2025.173417.1217

Abstract

Introduction: Valproic acid (VPA) is used as an anticonvulsant for the treatment of epilepsy. Exposure to VPA during the first trimester of pregnancy increases risks of congenital malformations. L-carnitine plays an important role in β-oxidation of fatty acids and has neuroprotective effect.

Aim: To investigate the effect of prenatal exposure to valproic acid on the cerebellum of albino rat’s offspring and to demonestrate the possible protective role of L-carnitine

Materials and Methods: Twenty four pregnant albino rats were divided into four groups (six rats each). Group (A); a control group. Group (B); received L-canitine at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight. Group (C); Pregnant rats received VPA at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight. Group (D); received VPA at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight with L-canitine at a dose of 500 mg/ /kg body weight. At the end of experiment, six male pups from each group were sacrificed on the postnatal day 14. The cerebella were extracted and processed for light and electron microscopic examination.

Results: Valporic acid induced degenerative changes in the form of Vacuolation in the external granular layer, delayed its disappearance and degeneration of Purkinje cells in rat offsprings cerebellar cortex. These changes were markedly ameliorated by L-carnitine.

Conclusion: Valproic acid (VPA) had degenerative effect on the cerebellar cortex in rat offsprings if administered during pregnancy. VPA should be administered at the least effective dose and that L-carnitine coadministration is highly recommended to reduce its degenerative effect.

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