Preventative effects of molecular hydrogen on fetal brain injury

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16H06870
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Obstetrics and gynecology
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: Imai Kenji 名古屋大学, 医学部附属病院, 助教 (20778295)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-08-26 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 胎児脳 / 炎症 / ミクログリア / アストロサイト

Outline of Final Research Achievements

It has been demonstrated that, in our maternal immunse activation (MIA) model mice, maternal administration of H2 attenuates oxidative damage and neuroinflammation in the fetal brain. In the present study, behavioral abilitiy were evaluated at postnatal 3 or 4 weeks. The number of neurons and oligodendrocytes was also analyzed at postnatal 5 weeks by immunohistochemical analysis. Offspring of the LPS-exposed dams showed deficits in short-term memory and social interaction, following neuronal and oligodendrocytic loss in the amygdala and cortex. Maternal H2 administration markedly attenuated these LPS-induced abnormalities. Moreover, the number of activated astrocytes was increased in LPS-exposed offspring, but decreased in the offspring of H2-administered dams. Overall, these findings indicate that maternal H2 administration exerts neuroprotective effects and ameliorates MIA-induced neurodevelopmental deficits of offspring later in life.

Free Research Field

産婦人科