Evaluation of the effect of trans-cinnamic acid on oxidative damage, cholinergic activity of the forebrain, and neuronal density of the medial frontal cortex of the fetus in preeclampsia model rats

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is a disorder associated with prenatal brain damage.This study investigated the effect of cinnamic acid (CIN) on the parameters of oxidative stress, oxidative DNA damage and cholinesterase (AChE) enzyme activity in the forebrain and the cell structure of the fetal medial frontal cortex (mFC) of l-NAME-induced PE rat model.Materials and methods: 25 pregnant rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: control group (no treatment), PE+NS group (intraperitoneal administration of 250 mg l-NAME from embryonic day (ED) 15 to ED20 and gavage normal saline), PE+CIN25, PE+CIN50 and PE+CIN100 groups (gavage of cinnamic acid with doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, after l-NAME injection).On the ED21, with cesarean section of live fetuses, the fetal brain was dissected.AChE, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), 8hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the forebrain and cell density in the mFC were measured.Results: A significant decrease in CAT and SOD, and a significant increase in MDA, 6-OHdG and AChE in the forebrain along with a decrease in neuronal density in the mFC of the PE+NS compared to the control were seen (p<0.05).While in the CIN-treated groups, they showed a significant increase in CAT and SOD, a significant decrease in MDA, 6-OHdG, and AChE in the forebrain and an increase in mFC neuronal density compared to the PE+NS (p<0.05).Conclusion: It seems that CIN with antioxidant effects in the fetal forebrain improves brain function and reduces cell damage in the middle frontal cortex of PE model fetuses.