Crack cocaine smoke on pregnant rats: Maternal evaluation and teratogenic effect

Author(s)

Souza-Silva, E. M. ^[1] ; Alves, R. B. ^[1] ; Simon, K. A. ^[1] ; Hueza, I. M. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Fed Univ Sa Paulo ICAQF UNIFESP, Inst Environm Chem & Pharmaceut Sci, Rua Sao Nicolau 210, BR-09913030 Diadema, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: HUMAN & EXPERIMENTAL TOXICOLOGY; v. 39, n. 4 DEC 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate maternal toxicity, teratogenic, and placental oxidative effects resulting from the exposure of rats to crack cocaine smoke during pregnancy. Pregnant rats were exposed either to the smoke of crack and ashes (Crack) or to the smoke of ashes alone, nonexposed or pair-fed with the Crack group. Crack group was exposed to the smoke resulting from the burning of 250 mg of crack for 10 min, twice a day, from 7 days prior to mating until cesarian on gestational day 20. Placental oxidative stress and classical parameters of maternal and fetal evaluation were studied, in addition to the morphometric analysis of the fetal metamers. Even in the absence of changes in body weight gain and feed intake, crack altered the reproductive performance of dams. Exposure to the drug promoted late closure of the fetal fontanel. Furthermore, the morphometric study of the brain mass (BM)/skull cap ratio revealed a decrease in the BM of the fetuses exposed to the drug. Exposure to crack has an oxidative potential in fetal development, since exposure to the drug promoted placental lipid peroxidation. Our study showed that daily exposure to crack, even in lower frequency than that performed by users, has a teratogenic potential. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/17050-9 - Fetal development evaluation of pregnant rats exposed during gestation to the smoke of crack cocaine: a maternal and fetal toxicological study
• Grantee: Evelyn Martins Souza Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation