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Molecular Autism
Published in: Molecular Autism 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research

Resveratrol ameliorates prenatal progestin exposure-induced autism-like behavior through ERβ activation

Authors: Weiguo Xie, Xiaohu Ge, Ling Li, Athena Yao, Xiaoyan Wang, Min Li, Xiang Gong, Zhigang Chu, Zhe Lu, Xiaodong Huang, Yun Jiao, Yifei Wang, Meifang Xiao, Haijia Chen, Wei Xiang, Paul Yao

Published in: Molecular Autism | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Background

Recent literatures indicate that maternal hormone exposure is a risk factor for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We hypothesize that prenatal progestin exposure may counteract the neuroprotective effect of estrogen and contribute to ASD development, and we aim to develop a method to ameliorate prenatal progestin exposure-induced autism-like behavior.

Methods

Experiment 1: Prenatal progestin exposure-induced offspring are treated with resveratrol (RSV) through either prenatal or postnatal exposure and then used for autism-like behavior testing and other biomedical analyses. Experiment 2: Prenatal norethindrone (NET) exposure-induced offspring are treated with ERβ knockdown lentivirus together with RSV for further testing. Experiment 3: Pregnant dams are treated with prenatal NET exposure together with RSV, and the offspring are used for further testing.

Results

Eight kinds of clinically relevant progestins were used for prenatal exposure in pregnant dams, and the offspring showed decreased ERβ expression in the amygdala with autism-like behavior. Oral administration of either postnatal or prenatal RSV treatment significantly reversed this effect with ERβ activation and ameliorated autism-like behavior. Further investigation showed that RSV activates ERβ and its target genes by demethylation of DNA and histone on the ERβ promoter, and then minimizes progestin-induced oxidative stress as well as the dysfunction of mitochondria and lipid metabolism in the brain, subsequently ameliorating autism-like behavior.

Conclusions

We conclude that resveratrol ameliorates prenatal progestin exposure-induced autism-like behavior through ERβ activation. Our data suggest that prenatal progestin exposure is a strong risk factor for autism-like behavior. Many potential clinical progestin applications, including oral contraceptive pills, preterm birth drugs, and progestin-contaminated drinking water or seafood, may be risk factors for ASD. In addition, RSV may be a good candidate for clinically rescuing or preventing ASD symptoms in humans, while high doses of resveratrol used in the animals may be a potential limitation for human application.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Resveratrol ameliorates prenatal progestin exposure-induced autism-like behavior through ERβ activation
Authors
Weiguo Xie
Xiaohu Ge
Ling Li
Athena Yao
Xiaoyan Wang
Min Li
Xiang Gong
Zhigang Chu
Zhe Lu
Xiaodong Huang
Yun Jiao
Yifei Wang
Meifang Xiao
Haijia Chen
Wei Xiang
Paul Yao
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Molecular Autism / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 2040-2392
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13229-018-0225-5

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