Volume 17, Issue 1 (January & February- In Press 2026)
BCN 2026, 17(1): 0-0 |
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Hajipour H, Sedaghat K. Vitamin D Modifies the Maternal Hypothyroidism-Induced Cognitive Decline Related to an Increase in Oxidative Stress and Pro-inflammation and Decrease in the Brain BDNF Levels in the Rat. BCN 2026; 17 (1)
URL: http://bcn.iums.ac.ir/article-1-3412-en.html
URL: http://bcn.iums.ac.ir/article-1-3412-en.html
1- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
2- Research Center of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
2- Research Center of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
Abstract:
Thyroid hormones (TH) are vital for fetal and neonatal nervous system development. Mild maternal hypothyroidism might render cognitive impairment in offspring during adulthood, by producing oxidative stress, inflammation and lowering brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Vitamin D has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory actions; therefore, we aimed to investigate if vitamin D administration during gestation of hypothyroid dams or after birth would improve cognitive function in offspring. For this study, we used propylthiouracil (PTU) to induce hypothyroidism in pregnant rats from the 6th day of gestation until delivery. A group of pregnant rats received vitamin D (5 or 10 mg/kg) along with PTU, while another, received that after delivery until the weaning of offspring and it was continued for the offspring until they were sacrificed. At the 60th postnatal day, Novel object recognition test was performed. Protein assays for Lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha and BDNF were performed in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Results indicated that maternal hypothyroidism reduced cognitive functions in the offspring, and vitamin D during gestation and improved memory decline and recognition of the novel object when administered during gestation. Vitamin D either during or after birth markedly adjusted oxidative stress, inflammation, and BDNF levels in the brain. This study indicates that maternal hypothyroidism-induced oxidation, inflammation, and decreased BDNF are passed and remain with the offspring into their adulthood, as possible causes of cognitive decline. Vitamin D, especially during pregnancy, may improve cognitive function by modulating the underlying mechanisms.
Type of Study: Original |
Subject:
Behavioral Neuroscience
Received: 2025/11/18 | Accepted: 2025/12/2 | Published: 2026/01/20
Received: 2025/11/18 | Accepted: 2025/12/2 | Published: 2026/01/20
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