Oxidative stress and apoptotic index modifications in the hippocampus of rat pups born to mothers exposed to buprenorphine during lactation

BACKGROUND: The effect of opioids administration during lactation on nervous system has not fully understood. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the buprenorphine (BUP) impact on oxidative stress indexes and apoptotic gene expression in the hippocampus of neonates exposed to this drug through breastfeeding. METHODS: Lactating female rats were subcutaneously injected with BUP (1 or 0.5 mg/kg). After 28 days, the pups were anesthetized, then their hippocampus were obtained for measurement of oxidative stress parameters [glutathione (GSH), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)] and gene expression of apoptotic indices (Bcl2, Bax and caspase 3). RESULTS: This study showed that BUP (0.5 and 1 mg/kg) could not markedly change oxidative stress indices levels and apoptotic markers expression in the hippocampus of pups versus controls. CONCLUSION: This study did not find BUP effect on the apoptosis and oxidative stress indices in the hippocampus of pups born to mothers exposed to this drug during lactation.