The role of neuronal apoptosis in Valproic Acid brain-related teratogenesis: a histochemical and immunohistochemical study in BALB/c mice

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the teratogenic effects of Valproic Acid (VPA) and to investigate the role of apoptosis in neural tissue development. Although an apoptotic activity due to VPA has been reported, a direct connection of VPA-induced apoptosis with embryonic brain and/or spine malformations and teratogenesis has not yet been established. Materials and Methods: VPA was administered to BALB/c mice, from the 7(th) to the 10(th) gestational days. Macroscopical congenital anomalies were registered under a stereomicroscope and were further histologically studied. Immunohistochemistry was performed with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining. Results: Birth defects were described and an increase of the apoptotic activity in the brain was immunohistochemically identified. Conclusions: Considering the increased and very intense TUNEL expression of the neural cells of treated animals’ fetuses, it is suggested that VPA triggers a pathological increase of apoptosis resulting in an imbalance between cell proliferation and cell death, the final result of which is malformation.