Effect of pre and postnatal administration of pregabalin on the granule cells of the cerebellar cortex of albino rats (An Electron microscopic study)

Abstract

ABSTRACTIntroduction: the cerebellum organogenesis in the mammals takes place along period of the development from the embryogenesis to the postnatal time to reach the mature form morphologically and physiologically, therefore these stages are very critical to the growth of the cerebellum. Pregabalin is an oral medication that used to treat neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia and partial seizures Aim of the work: The present study was carried out to study the effect of low and high therapeutic dose of pregabalin administration in pre and postnatal periods on granule cells of the cerebellar cortex of albino rats. Subjects and methods: Atotal of 15 offspring's 15 pregnant female albino rats were subdivided into three groups: Group A: Includes offspring's of 5 control mothers received distelled water, Group B: Includes offspring's of 5 mothers treated with pregabalin at dose of 150mg/kg, Group C: includes offspring of 5 mothers treated with pregabalin at dose of 600mg/kg, the offsprings are scarified at 2.5 months, Cerebellar specimen were processed for transmission electron microscopic assessment. Results: ultrastructure studies of granule cells in group B were altered than control group, the cytoplasmic membrane was ill-defined , vacuoles were presented, the nucleus showed disturbed chromatin. Ultra structural studies of granule cells in group C showed shrunken granule cells, ill-defined cytoplasmic membrane, destructed and organelles, marked cytoplasmic vacuoles, the nucleus showed heterochromatic chromatin.Conclusion: pre and postnatal administration of pregabalin in low and high doses proved distortions of cerebellar cortical cells that may effect on the physiological functions of the cerebellum.