Assessment of the effects of topiramate in the estrous cycle, uterine histomorphometry and fetal parameters of Wistar rats

• Grant number: 12/21040-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2013
• End date: December 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Embryology
• Principal Investigator: Isabel Cristina Cherici Camargo
• Grantee: Willian Eduardo Neres
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Letras (FCL-ASSIS). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Assis. Assis , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Topiramate is a drug used for the treatment of epilepsy, with multiple mechanisms of action, which also has demonstrated pharmacological potential for the treatment of obesity. Pharmacological tests regarding the side effects of Topiramate on reproduction include mainly its effects on fertility and embryofetal toxicity, and there are very few studies in these aspects. In addition, none report was obtained about the effects of drug on uterine tissue and if there is evidence of fetal alterations that may occur due to exposure in utero to drug during the period of organogenesis. This knowledge is important, since a woman may not be aware of her condition of pregnancy while using this medication. The goal of this study is to evaluate the effects of Topiramate on the estrous cycle, uterine tissue and fetal parameters of Wistar rats. In experiment I, females will be distributed in two groups (n=8/group): Control-CG (tap water) and treated with Topiramate-TG (100mg/Kg of body weight), which will receive the treatments through a single daily dose for 6 consecutive weeks. The estrous cycle will be monitored daily. At the end of the experimental period the rats will be sacrificed to obtain serial sections of the uterine horns for histomorphometric analysis in light microscopy. In Experiment II, pregnant rats of CG and TG will receive treatment during the organogenesis of embryonic development (7 to 14 days - GD7 to GD14) for evaluation of fetal parameters. (AU)