Docosahexaenoic acid improves cognition and hippocampal pyroptosis in rats with intrauterine growth restriction

Lijia Wan; Xiaori He; Mingfeng He; Yuanqiang Yu; Weiming Jiang; Can Liang; Kaiju Luo; Xiaoyun Gong; Yonghui Yang; Qingyi Dong; Pingyang Chen

Heliyon (Feb 2023)

Docosahexaenoic acid improves cognition and hippocampal pyroptosis in rats with intrauterine growth restriction

Lijia Wan,
Xiaori He,
Mingfeng He,
Yuanqiang Yu,
Weiming Jiang,
Can Liang,
Kaiju Luo,
Xiaoyun Gong,
Yonghui Yang,
Qingyi Dong,
Pingyang Chen

Affiliations

Lijia Wan: Department of Pediatrics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, PR China; Department of Child Healthcare, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, Hunan 410011, PR China
Xiaori He: Department of Pediatrics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, PR China; Laboratory of Neonatal Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, PR China
Mingfeng He: Department of Pediatrics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, PR China; Laboratory of Neonatal Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, PR China
Yuanqiang Yu: Department of Pediatrics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, PR China; Laboratory of Neonatal Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, PR China
Weiming Jiang: Children's Institute of Three Gorges University, Yichang Central People's Hospital, The First College of Clinical Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443003, PR China
Can Liang: Department of Pediatrics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, PR China; Laboratory of Neonatal Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, PR China
Kaiju Luo: Department of Pediatrics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, PR China; Laboratory of Neonatal Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, PR China
Xiaoyun Gong: Department of Pediatrics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, PR China; Laboratory of Neonatal Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, PR China
Yonghui Yang: Department of Pediatrics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, PR China; Laboratory of Neonatal Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, PR China
Qingyi Dong: Department of Pediatrics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, PR China; Laboratory of Neonatal Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, PR China
Pingyang Chen: Department of Pediatrics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, PR China; Laboratory of Neonatal Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, PR China; Corresponding author. NO.139, Renmin Middle Road, furong District, Changsha, Hunan 410011, PR China.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 9, no. 2
p. e12920

Abstract

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Background and Objective: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is defined as the failure of a fetus to reach its genetic growth potential in utero resulted by maternal, placental, fetal, and genetic factors. Previous studies have reported that IUGR is associated with a high incidence of neurological damage, although the precise causes of such damage remain unclear. We aimed to investigate whether cognitive impairment in rats with IUGR is related to pyroptosis of hippocampal neurons and determine the effect of early intervention with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Methods: Learning and memory function was assessed using the Morris water maze test. The morphological structure and ultrastructure of the hippocampus was examined via hematoxylin and eosin staining and electron microscopy respectively. The pyroptosis of hippocampal neuron was detected by gasdermin-D (GSDMD) immunofluorescence staining, mRNA and protein expression of nuclear localization leucine-rich-repeat protein 1 (NLRP1), caspase-1, GSDMD, and quantification of inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 in the hippocampus. Results: IUGR rats exhibited decreased learning and memory function, morphological structure and ultrastructural changes in hippocampus compared to controls. IUGR rats also exhibited increased hippocampal quantification of GSDMD immunofluorescence staining, increased mRNA and protein expression of NLRP1, caspase-1, and GSDMD, and increased quantification of IL-1β and IL-18 in the hippocampus. Intervention with DHA attenuated these effects. Conclusion: Cognitive impairment in rats with IUGR may be related to pyroptosis of hippocampal neurons. Early intervention with DHA may attenuate cognitive impairment and reduce hippocampal pyroptosis in rats with IUGR.

Published in Heliyon

ISSN: 2405-8440 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Science: Science (General); Social Sciences: Social sciences (General)
Website: https://www.cell.com/heliyon/home

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