Effect of Gestational Exposure to Novel Antipsychotics on Body Weight Gain in Rats

Abstract

Clinical literature demonstrates that nearly all atypical antipsychotic drugs (AAPDs) are associated with weight gain. The magnitude of weight gain, however, varies between doses of drugs and exposure period as well as in different age groups. Data on AAPDs like quetiapine (QUE), risperidone and weight gain have been found variable in clinical and preclinical trials. The metabolic safety of these drugs in pregnant women has not been thoroughly investigated so far. Therefore, present study is designed to investigate the effect of gestational exposure to equivalent therapeutic doses of AAPDs, QUE and RISP on weight gain in female pregnant rats. The results indicate that there was mild reduction in body weight gain and food consumption in RISP exposed rats. Similarly, mild weight loss was also observed in QUE exposed dams inspite of significant drug induced anorexia/hypophagia. These drugs were found either neutral in weight gain or may induce mild weight loss in female adult rats. This study also demonstrates that multifunctional mechanisms might be involved for alteration in feeding pattern and body weight gain.