title: The Impact of Prenatal Exposure to Dexamethasone on Gastrointestinal Function in Rats.
abstract: Antenatal treatment with synthetic glucocorticoids is commonly used in pregnant women at risk of preterm delivery to accelerate tissue maturation. Exposure to glucocorticoids during development has been hypothesized to underlie different functional gastrointestinal (GI) and motility disorders. Herein, we investigated the impact of in utero exposure to synthetic glucocorticoids (iuGC) on GI function of adult rats. Wistar male rats, born from pregnant dams treated with dexamethasone (DEX), were studied at different ages. Length, histologic analysis, proliferation and apoptosis assays, GI transit, permeability and serotonin (5-HT) content of GI tract were measured. iuGC treatment decreased small intestine size and decreased gut transit. However, iuGC had no impact on intestinal permeability. iuGC differentially impacts the structure and function of the GI tract, which leads to long-lasting alterations in the small intestine that may predispose subjects prone to disorders of the GI tract.
authors: Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.|Life and Health Sciences Research Institute/Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biometrics Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
authors: Fátima
authors: F
authors: Ramalhosa
authors: Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.|Life and Health Sciences Research Institute/Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biometrics Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
authors: Carina
authors: C
authors: Soares-Cunha
authors: Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.|Life and Health Sciences Research Institute/Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biometrics Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
authors: Rui Miguel
authors: RM
authors: Seixal
authors: Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.|Life and Health Sciences Research Institute/Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biometrics Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
authors: Nuno
authors: N
authors: Sousa
authors: Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.|Life and Health Sciences Research Institute/Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biometrics Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.|General Surgery Department, Hospital of Braga, Braga, Portugal.
authors: Ana Franky
authors: AF
authors: Carvalho
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010539:Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin; D003907:Dexamethasone