Application of thiamine in preventing malformations, specifically cleft alveolus and palate, during the intrauterine development of rats.
OBJECTIVE
Animal experiments were conducted to test the reproducibility of previously documented antiteratogenic effects of thiamine on cleft formation in the craniofacial system.


METHODS
Thirteen gravid Wistar rats carrying 98 fetuses were given the hydrazine derivative procarbacine (200 mg/kg BW) on the fourteenth day postconception (PC) to induce malformations, chiefly cleft alveolus and palate (day of determining presence of sperm was called the first day PC). Seven of the treated gravid rats carrying 48 fetuses were additionally given a daily dose of 200 mg/kg thiamine from the thirteenth to the nineteenth day PC.


METHODS
A comparative analysis of the fetuses in both experimental groups was conducted externally and, for the skeleton, macroscopically using special staining techniques; the heads were analyzed using successional histologic sections; bodies were examined stereomicroscopically using the razor-blade sectioning technique.


RESULTS
In 12 of the 16 parameters evaluated, no statistically significant differences were found between experimental groups. In some cases, we even observed an amplifying effect of thiamine on the development of malformations in the rat strain used in our study.


CONCLUSIONS
Because several previous authors have repeatedly described treatment with thiamine as one of the sufficient prophylactic measures in slowing the development of viscerocranial malformations, especially cleft alveolus and palate, it is of utmost importance that the timing of treatment and dosage of thiamine be taken into consideration not only in animal experiments but also when applying results to humans.
Bienengräber
V
V
Division of Experimental Dentistry, University of Rostock, Federal Republic of Germany.
Fanghänel
J
J
Malek
F A
FA
Kundt
G
G
D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000187:drug effects; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004396:Coloring Agents; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000139:chemically induced; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011344:Procarbazine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013723:Teratogens; D013831:Thiamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D004396:Coloring Agents; D013723:Teratogens; D011344:Procarbazine; D013831:Thiamine