Evaluation of the chromosomal instability and mRNA expression of genes related to neurogenesis and neurotransmitter metabolism in the offspring from dams treated with vitamin B6 deficient or supplemented diets

• Grant number: 12/20441-9
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): June 01, 2013
• Effective date (End): May 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nutrition - Nutrition Biochemistry
• Principal Investigator: Lusânia Maria Greggi Antunes
• Grantee: Mara Ribeiro de Almeida
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 14/01288-0 - Effect of maternal dietary vitamin B6 on the modulation of gene expression in brain of rat dams and their offspring, BE.EP.PD

Abstract

Vitamin B6 has a crucial role in the central nervous system formation and its deficiency during pregnancy causes abnormalities in brain development and reduces neurotransmitters such dopamin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the striatum of offspring. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in these processes are not fully understood. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate the effects of maternal vitamin B6 supplementation and deficiency on the DNA of offspring through the evaluation of chromosomal instability and mRNA expression of genes related to neurogenesis and neurotransmitter metabolism. Female Wistar rats will be treated with 3 different diets: control (6 mg vitamin B6/kg diet); supplemented (30 mg vitamin B6/kg diet) and deficient diet (0 mg vitamin B6/kg diet). The offsprings will be divided into 2 groups: postnatal and adults that will receive control diet and then will be euthanized 10 and 100 days after birth, respectivelly. Dams will be euthanized after the weaning period. The chromosomal intability will be evaluated by comet assay in liver, brain and peripheral blood and by the micronucleus test in bone marrow and peripheral blood. The mRNA expression of neurogenin (Neurog1), neutrin 1 (Ntn1), glutamate decarboxylase 1 (Gad1), 4-aminobutyrate aminotransferase (Abat) and monoamine oxidase A (Maoa) genes will be evaluated in brain by real time PCR. The results of this study will provide further knowledge about the molecular mechanisms of vitamin B6 during embrionic development and thus will supply more evidence about the correct use of this nutrient in diet.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

ALMEIDA, MARA RIBEIRO; MABASA, LAWRENCE; CRANE, COURTNEY; PARK, CHUNG S.; VENANCIO, VINICIUS PAULA; PIRES BIANCHI, MARIA LOURDES; GREGGI ANTUNES, LUSANIA MARIA. Maternal vitamin B-6 deficient or supplemented diets on expression of genes related to GABAergic, serotonergic, or glutamatergic pathways in hippocampus of rat dams and their offspring. MOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH, v. 60, n. 7, p. 1615-1624, JUL 2016. Web of Science Citations: 2.

ALMEIDA, MARA RIBEIRO; VENANCIO, VINICIUS PAULA; AISSA, ALEXANDRE FERRO; CASTANIA DARIN, JOANA DARC; PIRES BIANCHI, MARIA LOURDES; GREGGI ANTUNES, LUSANIA MARIA. Effects of maternal vitamin B-6 deficiency and over-supplementation on DNA damage and oxidative stress in rat dams and their offspring. Food and Chemical Toxicology, v. 80, p. 201-205, JUN 2015. Web of Science Citations: 1.