title: Neuroprotective effects of antenatal magnesium sulfate under inflammatory conditions in a Sprague-Dawley pregnant rat model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Antenatal magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) is recommended for fetal neuroprotection. The aim of this animal study was to assess the neuroprotective effect of in utero exposure to MgSO4, under inflammatory conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Timed pregnant Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (n = 29) received four intra-peritoneal (IP) injections of lipopolysaccharides (LPS; 200 μg/kg), combined with increasing concentrations of MgSO4(25, 50 or 100 mg/kg, n = 19) or saline solution (SS; n = 10). In the second set of experiments, animals (n = 8) received a single IP injection of i) LPS (500 μg/kg), MgSO4(50 mg/kg) and SS (n = 4) or ii) LPS (500 μg/kg), MgSO4(50 mg/kg) and IL-6 (12 μg/kg) (n = 4). Neurodevelopmental outcomes of surviving pups (n = 212) were assessed by the open field and the rotarod tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pups' average weight at postnatal day (P) 25 was 75.77 g and 89.08 g in MgSO4and control groups, respectively (p = 0.02). Pups in MgSO4group have traveled a shorter distance and have shown reduced motor balance and coordination (p < 0.01). Average weight of pups receiving (LPS + MgSO4+ IL-6) was 92.26 g at P25, compared to 75.86 g in (LPS + MgSO4+SS) group (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our model, MgSO4induces pup's growth retardation and motor deficits, which may partly be related to a lower IL-6 circulating concentration.
authors: a Obstetrics and Gynecology, CHUS, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke , Sherbrooke , QC , Canada.
authors: Audrey
authors: A
authors: Binette
authors: a Obstetrics and Gynecology, CHUS, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke , Sherbrooke , QC , Canada.
authors: Simon
authors: S
authors: Blouin
authors: a Obstetrics and Gynecology, CHUS, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke , Sherbrooke , QC , Canada.
authors: Amélie
authors: A
authors: Ardilouze
authors: a Obstetrics and Gynecology, CHUS, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke , Sherbrooke , QC , Canada.
authors: Jean-Charles
authors: JC
authors: Pasquier
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000254:growth & development; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005260:Female; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality; D015850:Interleukin-6; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D065886:Neurodevelopmental Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000209:etiology*; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D045442:Rotarod Performance Test
chemical_list: D015850:Interleukin-6; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate
keywords: Animal study; interleukin-6; lipopolysaccharides; neurodevelopmental assessment; weight gain