Evaluation of p21 expression and related autism-like behavior in Bisphenol-A exposed offspring of Wistar albino rats.

Background: Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor, may be involved in the etiology of autism spectrum disorders (ASD); however, the mechanism of neuronal and astrocytic damage remains ambiguous. A possible role of altered expression of p21 in autistic-like behavior in rat offspring was examined with prenatal and postnatal BPA exposure.

Methods: Wistar albino dams were exposed to BPA (5 mg/kg) intraperitoneally throughout pregnancy and until the third postnatal day (PND). Pups were examined on 21st PND for behavioral test. Blood samples were collected for serum lactate levels and pups were sacrificed. Right frontal cortices were dissected out and processed for H&E, immunohistochemical analysis, and gene expression.

Results: Anxiety like behavior and thigmotaxis along with reduction in serum lactate concentrations were observed in pups exposed to BPA. Decline in neuronal number and decreased astrocytic population with reduced dendritic spines were revealed by H&E and immunohistochemical analysis, respectively, in right frontal cortices. Over expression of p21 was also detected in BPA-exposed offspring.

Conclusions: Over expression of p21 may be associated with autistic behavior. Further studies are recommended to explore the structural alterations in other white matter pathways in frontal cortices.