Folic acid and pantothenic acid protection against valproic acid-induced neural tube defects in CD-1 mice. 2006

Jennifer E Dawson, and Angela M Raymond, and Louise M Winn
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7L 3N6.

In utero exposure to valproic acid (VPA) during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of neural tube defects (NTDs). Although the mechanism by which VPA mediates these effects is unknown, VPA-initiated changes in embryonic protein levels have been implicated. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of in utero VPA exposure on embryonic protein levels of p53, NF-kappaB, Pim-1, c-Myb, Bax, and Bcl-2 in the CD-1 mouse. We also evaluated the protective effects of folic acid and pantothenic acid on VPA-induced NTDs and VPA-induced embryonic protein changes in this model. Pregnant CD-1 mice were administered a teratogenic dose of VPA prior to neural tube closure and embryonic protein levels were analyzed. In our study, VPA (400 mg/kg)-induced NTDs (24%) and VPA-exposed embryos with an NTD showed a 2-fold increase in p53, and 4-fold decreases in NF-kappaB, Pim-1, and c-Myb protein levels compared to their phenotypically normal littermates (P<0.05). Additionally, VPA increased the ratio of embryonic Bax/Bcl-2 protein levels (P<0.05). Pretreatment of pregnant dams with either folic acid or pantothenic acid prior to VPA significantly protected against VPA-induced NTDs (P<0.05). Folic acid also reduced VPA-induced alterations in p53, NF-kappaB, Pim-1, c-Myb, and Bax/Bcl-2 protein levels, while pantothenic acid prevented VPA-induced alterations in NF-kappaB, Pim-1, and c-Myb. We hypothesize that folic acid and pantothenic acid protect CD-1 embryos from VPA-induced NTDs by independent, but not mutually exclusive mechanisms, both of which may be mediated by the prevention of VPA-induced alterations in proteins involved in neurulation.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007279 Injections, Subcutaneous Forceful administration under the skin of liquid medication, nutrient, or other fluid through a hollow needle piercing the skin. Subcutaneous Injections,Injection, Subcutaneous,Subcutaneous Injection
D008297 Male Males
D009436 Neural Tube Defects Congenital malformations of the central nervous system and adjacent structures related to defective neural tube closure during the first trimester of pregnancy generally occurring between days 18-29 of gestation. Ectodermal and mesodermal malformations (mainly involving the skull and vertebrae) may occur as a result of defects of neural tube closure. (From Joynt, Clinical Neurology, 1992, Ch55, pp31-41) Craniorachischisis,Developmental Defects, Neural Tube,Diastematomyelia,Exencephaly,Neurenteric Cyst,Spinal Cord Myelodysplasia,Tethered Cord Syndrome,Acrania,Developmental Neural Tube Defects,Iniencephaly,Neural Tube Developmental Defects,Neuroenteric Cyst,Occult Spinal Dysraphism,Occult Spinal Dysraphism Sequence,Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome,Acranias,Craniorachischises,Cyst, Neurenteric,Cyst, Neuroenteric,Cysts, Neurenteric,Cysts, Neuroenteric,Defect, Neural Tube,Defects, Neural Tube,Diastematomyelias,Dysraphism, Occult Spinal,Dysraphisms, Occult Spinal,Exencephalies,Iniencephalies,Myelodysplasia, Spinal Cord,Myelodysplasias, Spinal Cord,Neural Tube Defect,Neurenteric Cysts,Neuroenteric Cysts,Occult Spinal Dysraphisms,Spinal Cord Myelodysplasias,Spinal Dysraphism, Occult,Spinal Dysraphisms, Occult,Tethered Cord Syndromes
D010205 Pantothenic Acid A butyryl-beta-alanine that can also be viewed as pantoic acid complexed with BETA ALANINE. It is incorporated into COENZYME A and protects cells against peroxidative damage by increasing the level of GLUTATHIONE. Vitamin B 5,Calcium Pantothenate,Dexol,Vitamin B5,Zinc Pantothenate,B 5, Vitamin,B5, Vitamin,Pantothenate, Calcium,Pantothenate, Zinc
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D004305 Dose-Response Relationship, Drug The relationship between the dose of an administered drug and the response of the organism to the drug. Dose Response Relationship, Drug,Dose-Response Relationships, Drug,Drug Dose-Response Relationship,Drug Dose-Response Relationships,Relationship, Drug Dose-Response,Relationships, Drug Dose-Response
D005260 Female Females
D005315 Fetal Diseases Pathophysiological conditions of the FETUS in the UTERUS. Some fetal diseases may be treated with FETAL THERAPIES. Embryopathies,Disease, Fetal,Diseases, Fetal,Embryopathy,Fetal Disease
D005492 Folic Acid A member of the vitamin B family that stimulates the hematopoietic system. It is present in the liver and kidney and is found in mushrooms, spinach, yeast, green leaves, and grasses (POACEAE). Folic acid is used in the treatment and prevention of folate deficiencies and megaloblastic anemia. Pteroylglutamic Acid,Vitamin M,Folacin,Folate,Folic Acid, (D)-Isomer,Folic Acid, (DL)-Isomer,Folic Acid, Calcium Salt (1:1),Folic Acid, Monopotassium Salt,Folic Acid, Monosodium Salt,Folic Acid, Potassium Salt,Folic Acid, Sodium Salt,Folvite,Vitamin B9,B9, Vitamin
D005865 Gestational Age The age of the conceptus, beginning from the time of FERTILIZATION. In clinical obstetrics, the gestational age is often estimated from the onset of the last MENSTRUATION which is about 2 weeks before OVULATION and fertilization. It is also estimated to begin from fertilization, estrus, coitus, or artificial insemination. Embryologic Age,Fetal Maturity, Chronologic,Chronologic Fetal Maturity,Fetal Age,Maturity, Chronologic Fetal,Age, Embryologic,Age, Fetal,Age, Gestational,Ages, Embryologic,Ages, Fetal,Ages, Gestational,Embryologic Ages,Fetal Ages,Gestational Ages

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