Investigation of lithium treatment during pregnancy on miR124 gene expression of offspring rats

Lithium, recognized as a mood stabilizer, is widely used in the treatment of bipolar disorder. Discontinuation of this medication during pregnancy can have serious consequences, leading to severe mood fluctuations such as mania or depression in the mother. Despite the advantage effects of lithium, its molecular impacts on neonates are still under investigation. The aim of this study is to examine the expression levels of the miR-124 gene in the offspring of rats whose mothers were exposed to lithium during pregnancy. In this experimental study, female rat received a daily dose of 30 mg/kg of lithium carbonate through their drinking water. The offsprings were divided into control and experimental groups and were maintained until the age of two months. The hippocampus and serum from the offspring were isolated for the analysis of target gene expression. Total RNA was extracted and cDNA was synthesized. The expression of miR-124 was estimated using qRT-PCR, using the ddCt and Pfaffl methods, and compared with the control group. The expression of miR-124 decreased in the hippocampal tissue of neonates whose mothers received lithium during pregnancy, while an increase in miR-124 expression was observed in serum samples. No significant distinction between the two evaluation methods was observed, even though the Pfaffl method claimed greater precision. The increase in miR-124 expression in serum and its decrease in hippocampal tissue may demonstrate complex changes in gene expression regulation and physiological responses, during stress, inflammation or metabolic changes. Concurrent analysis of gene expression in both tissue and serum could provide valuable insights into disease status and the body's biological responses, enabling scientists to gain a better understanding of the treatment process.