Early-Life Melatonin Supplementation Reduces the Long-Term Behavioral, Morphological, and Molecular Alterations in a Rat Model of Autism Spectrum Disorder - PubMed
3 hours ago
- #neurodevelopment
- #melatonin
- #autism
- Early-life melatonin supplementation reduces long-term behavioral, morphological, and molecular alterations in a rat model of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
- ASD is a neurodevelopmental condition with high prevalence, affecting males four times more than females, and is associated with sleep disorders and abnormal melatonin levels.
- Melatonin acts as a circadian regulator, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant agent by influencing cytokines and stimulating antioxidant enzymes.
- The study examined melatonin administration during gestation and lactation in a valproic acid (VPA)-induced ASD rat model, showing sex-specific benefits.
- Melatonin reversed behavioral, circadian, and morphological abnormalities in male offspring and prevented inflammatory responses in females.
- Chronic melatonin treatment restored serum melatonin levels and circadian enzyme expression in VPA-exposed rats.
- The findings suggest melatonin as a promising therapeutic for mitigating ASD-related behaviors, warranting further clinical investigation.