The influence of mackerel fish (Rastrelliger sp.) consumption towards the number of pyramidal cell in cerebral cortex of congenital hypothyroid rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Abstract

Congenital hypothyroid is a congenital endocrine disorder that occurs most commonly in childhood and a common cause of preventable mental retardation. Hypothyroidism can cause brain cells damage. Previous studies showed that omega-3 has a role as a neuroprotective agent. Indian mackerel fish have been selected for having higher omega-3 compared to fishes commonly consumed in Indonesia. The purpose of this study is to know the effect of mackerel fish (Rastrelliger sp.) consumption toward the number of pyramidal cells in the cerebral cortex of the congenital hypothyroid rat. An experimental study with the posttest-only control group design was done in 30 Sprague-Dawley rats that were divided into six groups. Four groups were induced by PTU for 5 d of gestation until 15 d of neonates, and two other groups were not induced. Thyroxine and mackerel were given on 21 d of birth until 8 wk. Later, rat’s brain was taken for histology preparation with HE staining and cerebral cortex pyramidal cells observation under a light microscope. The data were analyzed using statistic test of One Way ANOVA. The average number of pyramidal cells in cerebral cortex in each group; positive control, normal with mackerel, hypothyroid, hypothyroid with mackerel, hypothyroid with thyroxine, and hypothyroid with mackerel and thyroxine were 117 ± 18, 146 ± 24, 55 ± 6, 115 ± 6, 83 ± 3 and 100 ± 9 per field of vision, respectively. The statistic test showed a significant result (p < 0.05). There was an effect of giving Indian mackerel to the pyramidal cells in the cerebral cortex of the congenital hypothyroid rat.