Which has a more protective effect against neuronal changes in the cingulate cortex of newborn rats of diabetic mothers: omega 3 or glutathione?

Abstract

Different researches suggests that unchecked maternal hyperglycemia during pregnancy may negatively impact the offspring's neurodevelopment. Omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are vital antioxidant micronutrients for neurological health. Glutathione (GSH) is an essential non-enzymatic antioxidant in mammalian cells. The study aimed to assess the possible ameliorative effect of omega3 versus GSH against the neuronal changes in the cingulate cortex of new born rats of diabetic mothers. Fifty female rats were divided randomly into 5 equal groups: Group I given saline, group II where induction of diabetes by single intraperitoneal injection of 150 mg/kg of alloxan monohydrate, group III given oral omega 3 at a dose of 300 mg/kg, group IV given intraperitoneal injections of GSH at a dose of (200 mg/kg) and group V given both omega 3 and GSH with the same routes and regimens as group III and IV throughout the whole pregnancy. The newborn of each group was collected and anaesthetized then brain specimens were extracted and processed for the light, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic studies. Group II showed marked degenerative changes in the all layers of cingulate cortex by light and electron microscopy. The cingulate cortex of group V showed the most degree of improvement in comparison to group III and IV. There was strong caspase3 immunoreaction in group II while weak reaction appeared with group III, IV and V. We concluded that the combined administration of omega 3 and GSH mitigate the adverse effects of maternal diabetes on the newborn's cingulate cortex.