<div><strong>Background:</strong> Prenatal exposure to valproate is capable of inducing experimental autism in rat pups. This study aimed to investigate the role of <em>Camellia sinensis</em> green tea extract (GTE) in ameliorating the neurochemical changes induced by autism.&nbsp;</div>

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<div><strong>Methods:</strong> Pregnant rats were treated with a single intraperitoneal dose of sodium valproate (600 mg/kg) on the 12.5<sup>th</sup> gestational day. The treatment with GTE (300 mg/kg) orally in autistic rat pups at postnatal day 15 for 20 days.&nbsp;</div>

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<div><strong>Result:</strong> Induction of autism resulted in a significant decrease in the cerebellum and cortical 5-HT, DA, NE, GABA, glycine and taurine and a decrease in brain cholesterol and antioxidants enzymes (GSH, SOD and CAT) at P&lt;0.05. However, it showed a significant increase in MAO, AChE, glutamate, aspartate, serine and lipid peroxidation in addition to elevation in inflammatory biomarkers in brain tissue. Treatment with GTE extract showed significant decrease in AChE and MAO in addition to reduction in the excitatory amino acid GABA in brain tissue which in accordance resulted in marked elevation in cerebellar and cortical monoamine contents. Furthermore, administration of GTE improved the antioxidant defence system in cerebellum and cerebral cortex by activating the level of GSH, SOD and CAT. These results are accompanied by marked reduction in oxidative stress biomarker (NO and MDA) and lowering in the level of TNF-&alpha; and IL-6. In conclusion, it could be stated that GTE exerts an ameliorative effect on autistic rat pups possibly due to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and could be effective in the management of autism.</div>


<p>Therapeutic Potency of <em>Camellia sinensis</em> Extract on Neurochemical and Oxidative Changes Correlates to Autistic Disorder in Rat Pups Model</p>


<p><strong>Background:</strong> Progestin, a synthetic progesterone analog, is widely used during pregnancy to prevent complications. Considering the cerebellum&rsquo;s critical role in coordinating motor and higher cognitive functions implicated in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), this study examined the consequences of prenatal progestin exposure on cerebellar development and autism-related behaviors in offspring.<br />
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<strong>Methods:</strong> Twenty-four pregnant rats were randomly assigned to treatment (progestin 10 mg/kg BW) or control groups (n=12 each), with injections administered on gestational days 1, 7 and 14. Male offspring (n=10/group, randomly selected from different litters) were evaluated at 10 weeks using validated behavioral assays, including marble burying and nestlet shredding, to assess repetitive traits. Cerebellar tissue was processed for histological examination, oxidative stress profiling and immunohistochemical detection of estrogen receptor &beta; (ER&beta;).<br />
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<strong>Result:</strong> Progestin-exposed offspring exhibited significantly heightened repetitive behaviors. Histological analysis showed marked cerebellar alterations, particularly Purkinje cell degeneration and loss of Nissl bodies. Oxidative stress markers revealed disrupted redox balance, with elevated NADPH oxidase activity and decreased antioxidant enzyme levels. ER&beta; expression was significantly reduced across the cerebellar cortex, especially in Purkinje cells.<br />
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<p>Prenatal Progestin Exposure Induces Neurodevelopmental Alterations in Offspring Rats</p>


<div style="text-align:justify">A1 and A2 are most frequently observed Beta-Casein variants in dairy cattle. A1 &acirc;-casein on digestion releases an opioid, BCM-7 which has been found significantly associated with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM-1), ischemic heart disease (IHD), autism and including other immune suppression activities in man. Whereas A2 &acirc;-casein is devoid of such adverse effects. The present study involved genotyping of 181 cattle of two breeds Viz., Tharparkar and Frieswal for genetic variants A1 and A2 beta casein gene by PCR-RFLP method using DdeI restriction enzyme. The results showed that the A1 and A2 allelic frequency as 0.04 and 0.96 in Tharparkar while in Frieswal (HF x Sahiwal), it was 0.37 and 0.63 respectively. The average genetic diversity (0.47), polymorphism information content (0.35) and effective allele number (1.87) reflected existence of medium genetic variability in tested population. The lower PIC value in Tharparkar cattle (0.073) indicates low genetic diversity whereas; moderate vale (0.35) in Frieswal cattle indicates medium genetic diversity. Higher fixation index value revealed that random mating is being practiced in both populations.</div>


Therapeutic Potency of Camellia sinensis Extract on Neurochemical and Oxidative Changes Correlates to Autistic Disorder in Rat Pups Model

Prenatal Progestin Exposure Induces Neurodevelopmental Alterations in Offspring Rats

Analysis of beta-casein gene (CSN2) polymorphism in Tharparkar and Frieswal cattle