Therapeutic effects of melatonergic networks on propionic acid‐mediated autism‐like rat model: Sex difference based study
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized not only by altered neurobehavioral symptoms including repetitive and restricted behaviors, defects in social interactions, intestinal malfunctions such as constipation, and sleep disorders but also pathological brain damages. As the cause of this disorder is not clear, early diagnosis is limited and it may remain permanently disabled. Therefore, this study aims to explain the therapeutic potential of melatonergic network‐related materials in propionic acid‐mediated ASD animal models. Especially, to identify genderdependent changes, male and female 3‐week‐old Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomly divided and used. They were divided into control, propionic acid‐mediated ASD group, ASD with melatonin treatment group, and ASD with fermented milk treatment group. To verify the therapeutic effects of melatonergic‐related materials, intestine length, sleep quality and neurobehavioral tests were performed. ASD animals showed decreased intestine length compared to control. Interestingly, exogenous melatonin and fermented milk treatment to ASD animals restored intestine length in both sexes. However, no difference was found in the intestine length of both genders. Also, melatonin and fermented milk administration to ASD group showed restored sleep quality regardless of sexes. Additionally, ASD animals showed abnormal neurobehaviors compared to control animals, and this abnormality is thought to be recovered by exogenous melatonin and…
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