Document Type : Original research articles
Authors
1
Department of Human Anatomy & Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt
2
Department of physiology, Faculty of Science, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt
3
Department of Human Anatomy & Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
4
Department of Human Anatomy & Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
5
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt
6
Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt.
7
Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aswan University, Aswan 81528, Egypt
10.21608/svuijm.2025.409665.2229
Abstract
Background: Acrylamide (ACR) causes neurotoxicity and fetal damage due to its placental transfer. Therefore, protective treatment is required.
Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the neurotoxic effects of ACR exposure in pregnant and nursing rats on the cerebellum of their offspring at postnatal days (PND) 15 and 21. Additionally, investigation of the potential protective effects of administering Nano-hydroxyapatite (NHA) and vitamin B12 (Vit.B12) in combination with ACR to the mothers against ACR-induced cerebellum damage in the offspring was performed.
Materials and methods: 40 pregnant females’ rats were divided into four groups (10 for each): control, acrylamide (10mg/kg), acrylamide+nano-hydroxyapatite (300 mg/kg), and acrylamide+Vit.B12 (1mg/kg), with treatments administered for 5 weeks. Male produced offspring were sacrificed at postnatal days 15 and 21. Cerebellar tissues were collected for histopathology and electron microscopy investigations, while tissue samples were collected for oxidant/antioxidant markers such as malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) analysis using standard colorimetric assays.
Results: Acrylamide significantly reduced Purkinje cell count (P=0.0001), as well as the thickness of the granular, Purkinje, and molecular layers (P=0.0001). Administration of NHA and ViT.B12, in combination with ACR preserved Purkinje cells, and both treatments improved layer thickness (P<0.05). Acrylamide reduced CAT, SOD, GPX activities (all P<0.0001), and increased MDA levels (P<0.0001). Vitamin B12 significantly restored enzyme activities and normalized MDA levels (P=0.1652). Nano-hydroxyapatite improved all parameters but was less effective than Vit.B12.
Conclusion: Acrylamide induces cerebellar damage and oxidative stress in the offspring. Nano-hydroxyapatite provides partial protection, while Vit.B12 offered superior neuroprotection, significantly restoring structural, histopathological and oxidant/antioxidant markers.
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