Dose-dependent sickness behavior, abortion and inflammation induced by systemic LPS injection in pregnant mice.
OBJECTIVE
Clinical and experimental evidences indicate that intrauterine inflammation during pregnancy is associated to brain damage. The objective of this study is to determine the effects of lipopolysaccharide in temperature, cytokine production and sickness behavior of pregnant dams.


METHODS
A single i.p. injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (50, 150 or 300 µg/kg) was administered on E18. Controls received isotonic saline. Body temperature was controlled before and 3 h after injections. Animals' behavior was assessed by the OF test 3 h following treatment. Animals were sacrificed for leukocyte, IL-1β and TNF-α determination. Placental tissue and abortion were also examined.


RESULTS
LPS administration elicited hypothermia. Abortion was observed in LPS 150 and 300 µg/kg. Leukocyte levels were significantly lower with LPS 300 µg/kg than in controls. LPS induced dose-dependent impairment in animals' locomotion. IL-1β serum and amniotic fluid were higher than the saline, and TNF-α serum and amniotic fluid increased when compared to controls. Placental histopathologic abnormality was not found.


CONCLUSIONS
LPS induces dose-dependent sickness behavior and hypothermia in pregnant mice. Our findings suggest that the presence of inflammation may be a causative factor for premature labor and that Escherichia coli antigens modify the concentration of pro-inflammatory agents in circulatory system and intra-uterine environment.
Laboratory of Nutrology and Metabology (MENULAB) , Florianopolis, SC , Brazil .
Rovana Paludo
RP
Toyama
João Carlos
JC
Xikota
Marcelo L
ML
Schwarzbold
Tania Silvia
TS
Frode
Ziliani da Silva
Zda S
Buss
Jean Costa
JC
Nunes
Gabriela Di Giunta
GD
Funchal
Fernanda Costa
FC
Nunes
Roger
R
Walz
Maria Marlene de Souza
MM
Pires
D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D001831:Body Temperature; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D055809:Illness Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000276:immunology; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology
D008070:Lipopolysaccharides
Body temperature; lipopolysaccharide; locomotion; sickness behavior