Introduction: Maternal diabetes is regarded as an important teratogen that leads to brain damage including amygdala. The basolateral nucleus of amygdala presents in temporal lobe that have important role in emotional behavior and memory. Resveratrol is a natural antioxidant.
Aim of Work: To reveal postnatal development of basolateral nucleus of amygdala. Also cytoarchitecture of basolateral nucleus in albino rat offspring of diabetic rats has been studied. In addition the possible protective role of resveratrol was evaluated.
Material and Methods: 40 female adult rats were distributed as follows I-Control group: Received no treatment, II-Diabetic group: Induction of diabetes performed through a single dose of alloxan injected in the peritoneum (150 mg/kg), III-Resveratrol treated group: Rats received resveratrol orally (20 mg/kg) daily during pregnancy and through the lactational period. Resveratrol was received in the form of powder that was dissolved in gum acacia due to its limited water solubility and IV-Resveratrol treated diabetic group: diabetic rats received resveratrol orally at the same dose as in group III. Offspring (1day ''newborn'', 10days and 21 days) were studied. Light microscopic, electron microscopic, morphometric, immunohistochemical, and molecular techniques (PPAR gene expression) were studied.
Results: In control group, organization of basolateral nucleus appear to be well developed in all studied groups. In the diabetic group, both light and electron microscopic studies showed degenerative changes in the neurons of the basolateral nucleus of amygdala which were confirmed by morphometric study. Immunohistochemical study revealed increased caspase-3 expression and decreased GABA concentration. Molecular studies showed decreased PPAR gamma expression. In resveratrol treated group, cells approximated those of the control group. Diabetic rats treated with resveratrol revealed obviously improved results. So, resveratrol is recommended for pregnant diabetic female to protect their children from autism.