Análise morfométrica e estresse oxidativo do hipocampo de filhotes de ratas hiperglicêmicas

Abstract

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is characterized by any level of glucose intolerance that begins or is first recognized during pregnancy. This disease causes maternal harm, such as increased chances of preeclampsia and premature birth, and fetal harm, since a hyperglycemic environment compromises tissues, including nervous tissue, which reacts with physiological and morphological changes. More specifically, the hippocampus of the offspring, which manifests dysfunctions in memory, learning and attention. In this perspective, this study investigates the damage caused by hyperglycemia to the hippocampus of the offspring. To this end, Wistar rats were subjected to pancreatic injury by Streptozotocin (STZ) on the fifth day of pregnancy. After birth, the hippocampi were collected at 7, 30 and 90 days of life for morphological and biochemical analyses, and quantitative data were analyzed using statistics appropriate to the distribution. The rats induced to diabetes presented hyperglycemic evolution and lower weight gain during gestation in relation to the normoglycemic rats. The offspring of diabetic mothers presented lower body mass index, morphological alterations in the hippocampal subfields, in addition to markers of oxidative stress and decreased activity of the antioxidant system. These results show us the importance of medical monitoring during gestation.