Perinatal Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Alter Adult Rat (Rattus Norvegicus) Motor Behavior

Faculty Mentor

Dr. Joshua Herrington

Location

Savannah Ballroom

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Developmental psychobiology

Type of Research

On-going

Session Format

Oral Presentation

College

Honors College

Department

Psychology

Abstract

Acetaminophen (APAP) is a widely used antipyretic known to elevate oxidative stress in rodent brains. It is unknown how the dual-hit effects of elevated oxidative stress via APAP exposure during an inflammatory state during sensitive periods of perinatal brain development affects physiological and behavior across the lifespan. We examined the effects of early-life inflammation and/or oxidative stress in rat pups exposed to [1] elevated inflammation (LPS), [2] elevated oxidative stress (APAP), [3] combined inflammation + oxidative stress, or [4] vehicle control on postnatal days (P) 9, 11, and 13.

At ~P45, motor behavior was assessed using an open-field test, including total activity and lateralized turning. A linear mixed-effects model revealed a significant main effect of APAP (F1,23.6 = 5.19, ω2 = 0.141, p < .05), with APAP-exposed rats showing lower activity levels than controls (t23.6 = 2.28, p < 0.04). A significant sex × APAP interaction (F1,23.6 = 6.37, ω2 = 0.173, p < .02) indicated decreased activity selectively in APAP-exposed females (t23.6 = 3.22, p < 0.004). For proportion of 360° clockwise rotations, no significant main effects emerged; however, a significant sex × LPS × APAP interaction was observed (F1,79 = 6.54, ω2 = 0.064, p < .02), driven by a shift from clockwise to counterclockwise rotations in APAP-exposed males relative to controls (t79 = 3.02, p < 0.004).

To investigate a potential gut-brain dopaminergic mechanism, fecal boli were lyophilized for tyrosine quantification using LC-MS. Method validation through sample homogenization and metabolite extraction is complete, with internal standard validation underway. By measuring tyrosine, a dopamine precursor, we will assess whether early-life inflammatory and oxidative stress alter adult behavior through changes in gut-brain signaling.

These findings suggest that perinatal inflammation and oxidative stress interact with sex to produce lasting alterations in motor behavior.

Program Description

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Start Date

4-21-2026 1:30 PM

End Date

4-21-2026 3:30 PM

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Apr 21st, 1:30 PM Apr 21st, 3:30 PM

Perinatal Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Alter Adult Rat (Rattus Norvegicus) Motor Behavior

Savannah Ballroom

Acetaminophen (APAP) is a widely used antipyretic known to elevate oxidative stress in rodent brains. It is unknown how the dual-hit effects of elevated oxidative stress via APAP exposure during an inflammatory state during sensitive periods of perinatal brain development affects physiological and behavior across the lifespan. We examined the effects of early-life inflammation and/or oxidative stress in rat pups exposed to [1] elevated inflammation (LPS), [2] elevated oxidative stress (APAP), [3] combined inflammation + oxidative stress, or [4] vehicle control on postnatal days (P) 9, 11, and 13.

At ~P45, motor behavior was assessed using an open-field test, including total activity and lateralized turning. A linear mixed-effects model revealed a significant main effect of APAP (F1,23.6 = 5.19, ω2 = 0.141, p < .05), with APAP-exposed rats showing lower activity levels than controls (t23.6 = 2.28, p < 0.04). A significant sex × APAP interaction (F1,23.6 = 6.37, ω2 = 0.173, p < .02) indicated decreased activity selectively in APAP-exposed females (t23.6 = 3.22, p < 0.004). For proportion of 360° clockwise rotations, no significant main effects emerged; however, a significant sex × LPS × APAP interaction was observed (F1,79 = 6.54, ω2 = 0.064, p < .02), driven by a shift from clockwise to counterclockwise rotations in APAP-exposed males relative to controls (t79 = 3.02, p < 0.004).

To investigate a potential gut-brain dopaminergic mechanism, fecal boli were lyophilized for tyrosine quantification using LC-MS. Method validation through sample homogenization and metabolite extraction is complete, with internal standard validation underway. By measuring tyrosine, a dopamine precursor, we will assess whether early-life inflammatory and oxidative stress alter adult behavior through changes in gut-brain signaling.

These findings suggest that perinatal inflammation and oxidative stress interact with sex to produce lasting alterations in motor behavior.