title: The effects of rHuIFN-alpha A/D on brain lipids and behavior of neonatal ICR Swiss albino mice.
abstract: Systemic administration of interferon (IFN) can cause reversible neurologic side effects, but there is little information on its effect on the developing nervous system. We studied the effects of daily, subcutaneous injections of recombinant human interferon-alpha A/D (rHuIFN-alpha A/D) (which has biological activity in mice) on brain development of neonatal ICR Swiss albino mice. Animals were treated daily between 8 and 20 days of age (doa) with 5 x 10(4) units (U) of rHuIFN-alpha A/D and sacrificed at 24, 62, and 111 doa following testing in an active avoidance paradigm. Results show that rHuIFN-alpha A/D causes transient decreases in body and brain weights. There were no changes in brain total lipid, ganglioside, phosphorus, or cholesterol content, but there was a transient decrease in neutral glycolipid content. In addition, treated animals exhibited decreased spontaneous activity levels and an impaired retention of a learned behavior. These results suggest that there are some long-term treatment effects on behavior following administration of rHuIFN-alpha A/D to mice during the neonatal period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Myers-Kazimer
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Mervis
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Yates
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000378:metabolism*; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D004597:Electroshock; D005732:Gangliosides / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000494:pharmacology*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009336:Necrosis; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012153:Retention, Psychology / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D005732:Gangliosides; D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins