Behavioral improvements in a valproic acid rat model of autism following vitamin D supplementation.
The aim was to identify the effects of early vitamin D supplementation on autism-like behaviors (ASD) induced by valproic acid (VPA, an anti-convulsant and a mood stabilizer) in rats. 10 male Wistar rat pups with prenatal exposure to saline were in control group, and 20 Pups with prenatal exposure to VPA were divided into ASD-N (0.9% saline treated) and ASD-D group (vitamin D 80,000 IU/kg treated) on postnatal day 12. Self-grooming, olfactory habituation/dishabituation, and social interaction tests were conducted to assess social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D3) was measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Results showed that compared with the control group, the ASD-N group exhibited increased self-grooming, and decreased pinning and serum 25(OH)D3. Furthermore, the repetitive behavior of the ASD-N group exhibited a negative linear relationship with serum 25(OH)D3 on PND 42. In conclusion, early vitamin D supplementation in infant rat with ASD induced by VPA significantly improved development and behavior of rats related with ASD.
Department of Pathogenobiology, Key Laboratory for Bionics Engineering, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China; Jilin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
Lin
L
Du
Department of Pathogenobiology, Key Laboratory for Bionics Engineering, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China; Jilin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
Guolian
G
Zhao
Department of Pathogenobiology, Key Laboratory for Bionics Engineering, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China; Jilin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
Zipeng
Z
Duan
Department of Pathogenobiology, Key Laboratory for Bionics Engineering, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China; Jilin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Jilin University, Changchun, China. Electronic address: lifan@jlu.edu.cn.
Fan
F
Li
D000818:Animals; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000139:chemically induced*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012903:Smell / Q000187:drug effects; D012919:Social Behavior; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood
D018692:Antimanic Agents; D014807:Vitamin D; D014635:Valproic Acid; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D
Autism; Behavior; Rat; Valproic acid; Vitamin D