Influência do tratamento de prednisona antes e durante a prenhez de ratas Wistar sobre biomarcadores maternos e desenvolvimento fetal

Abstract

Among the most known glucocorticoid drugs, the prednisone is one of the most used and has free acess, as there is no need to withhold revenue. However, in gestational conditions, its use can negatively affect both the maternal immunometabolic profile and the fetal development. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the prednisone treatment on the immunometabolic and reproductive profile, and maternal-fetal repercussions of pregnant rats. Wistar rats were distributed in groups: CONT (n = 13), rats treated with vehicle before and during pregnancy; PRED1 (n = 14) treated with prednisone 5mg/Kg before and vehicle during pregnancy, and PRED2 (n = 13): treated with prednisone 5mg/Kg before and during pregnancy. The treatment was oral and daily. In the period 15 days, denominated prepregnancy body weight, food and water intake, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and leukogram were measured. Then, all rats were put to mate for pregnancy diagnosis, gestational period and during the 21 days the measurements already reported above were performed, in addition of serum protein, lipid, and liver profile, and IgG and IgM immunoglobulins; followed by relative organ weights, maternal reproductive performance and fetal analyzes. All data were analyzed with a 5% significance level. In the pre-pregnancy period, there was a decrease in food intake and an increase in water intake from treatment with prednisone. During the gestational period, there was an increase in body weight and food and water intake on days 14 and 21 of the PRED1 and PRED2 groups. The PRED2 group showed greater differences, such as a glycemic decrease at 60 'of TOTG, a decrease in the hepatic relative weight, IgG levels and leukocyte cells; in addition to a serum increase in triglycerides and aspartate aminotransferase. Although the reproductive indices (fertility, pregnancy and childbirth), continuous use of prednisone in pregnancy caused a decrease in maternal weight gain and litter weight, but increased placental efficiency, in addition to occurrences of skeletal and visceral anomalies. Thus, concludes that the administration of prednisone 5mg/Kg before and during pregnancy in rats induced maternal toxicity and negatively influenced fetal development, not recommended for use during pregnancy.