Abstract
Effects of phenobarbital (PB), valproic acid (VPA) or electroconvulsive seizure (ECS) on brain growth were studied in young Sprague-Dawley rats. To eliminate nutritional factors, 4-day-old rats were implanted with intragastric cannulas, through which they received a milk formula for 8 days. The rats were divided into a PB-treated group, a VPA-treated group, an ECS group, and 3 control groups. The PB and VPA groups received daily subcutaneous injections of phenobarbital (60 mg/kg/day) and valproic acid (200 mg/kg/day), respectively, for 6 days. The ECS group received two supramaximal ECS per day for 6 days. At the age of 11 days, the intragastric cannulas were cut and closed. Thereafter, the rats were reared by the dam from 11 to 21 days. There was no differences in body weights between controls and experimental groups during the experimental period. In the PB group, the brain weights (cerebrum, cerebellum) and cerebellar contents (DNA, RNA, protein) were significantly less than those of the control group. In the VPA group, the brain weights (cerebrum, cerebellum, brain stem) and cerebellar contents of DNA, RNA, were also significantly lower. In the ECS group, the cerebellar chemical contents were not significantly different from those in their control groups. Our data indicate that administration of anticonvulsants (PB, VPA) during early life might have adverse consequences on later postnatal brain development.
