Oxidative stress and apoptotic index modifications in the hippocampus of rat pups born to mothers exposed to buprenorphine during lactation

Abstract

BackgroundThe effect of opioids administration during lactation on nervous system has not fully understood. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the buprenorphine (BUP) impact on oxidative stress indexes and apoptotic gene expression in the hippocampus of neonates exposed to this drug through breastfeeding. MethodsLactating female rats were subcutaneously injected with BUP (1 or 0.5 mg/kg). After 28 days, the pups were anesthetized, then their hippocampus were obtained for measurement of oxidative stress parameters [glutathione (GSH), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)] and gene expression of apoptotic indices (Bcl2, Bax and caspase 3). ResultsThis study showed that BUP (0.5 and 1 mg/kg) could not markedly change oxidative stress indices levels and apoptotic markers expression in the hippocampus of pups versus controls. ConclusionThis study did not find BUP effect on the apoptosis and oxidative stress indices in the hippocampus of pups born to mothers exposed to this drug during lactation.