Protective effect of maternal vitamin E supplementation on phenytoin-induced teratogenicity in rat pups

Abstract

Objectives:Phenytoin teratogenicity is induced by embryonic hypoxia as a result of generation of reactive oxygen species.Antioxidants are effective in treating conditions associated with oxidative damage. This study investigated the possible protective effect of vitamin E maternal supplementation on oxidative damage, and the morphological and morphometricchanges induced by phenytoin in pups. Methods: Five groups of female rats were utilized. All the treatments were injected intraperitoneal. Groups I and II were injected with saline and olive oil, respectively. Group III was injected with vitamin E (0.5 g/kg BW/day) from day one to day 20 of gestation. Group IV was injected with phenytoin (150 mg/kg BW/day) from day 6 to day 18 of gestation. Group V was injected withphenytoin and vitamin E. The N-acetyl D-glucosaminidase, malondialdehyde, and glutathione were determined as markers of tissue damage. The skeletons of pups were examined after staining with alizarin red-S. Results: Phenytoin significantly increased oxidative stress indices in maternal plasma and tissues and in pup tissues. This wasassociated with a significant decrease in the weight, length and number of pups. Moreover, there were maxillary hypoplasia and skeletal anomalies. Co-administration of vitamin E with phenytoin reduced oxidative damage with significant increasein the weight, length and number of pups. Reduction in maxillary hypoplasia and skeletal anomalies were observed. Conclusion:Vitamin E maternal supplementation has significant effect in the reduction of the anomalies induced by phenytoin in pups.