The effect of Lauric acid on hippocampal antioxidants level in offspring of rats exposed to gestational chronic sleep deprivation

Abstract

Background: Stress is part of the daily life and during pregnancy. Sleep deprivation in women especially during pregnancy is a serious  concern. The developing brain can be damaged from increased levels of reactive oxygen species.

Aim: This study aims to examine the effect of Lauric acid against the hippocampal oxidative biomarkers in male rat offspring caused by maternal chronic sleep restriction.

Methodology: Pregnant female Wistar rats were deprived of sleep for 20hrs daily using the modified  multiple water platform from day 9-19. Group 1 received distilled, group 2 were stress controls, and groups 3,4 and 5 were administered  lauric acid at 125mg/kg, 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg respectively. Group 6 were treated with Vitamin C 300mg/kg.

Results: The level of MDA  in the hippocampus was significantly (p<0.05) elevated while SOD, CAT and GSH levels were significantly lowered in the stress  untreated group. Treatment using lauric acid and Vitamin C significant (p<0.05) reversed the oxidative changes due to prenatal stress.

Conclusion: This study suggests that lauric acid may possess antioxidant action against oxidative stress alterations in male rat offspring  whose mothers were exposed to maternal chronic sleep deprivation-induced-prenatal stress.