The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of lactating 6-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU) on the interactions between the thyroid-axis and prooxidant/antioxidant markers in neonates. PTU was administered to female rats in drinking water (0.1% w/v) from birth to lactation day (LD) 30. The administration gave rise to a highly significant decrease in serum thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) levels and increase in serum thyrotropin (TSH) level in both dams and their offspring at LDs 20 and 30 relative to control group. Also, in PTU group, a marked depression was observed in serum of neonatal growth hormone (GH). In this hypothyroid state, obvious elevation of oxidative markers (protein carbonyls, lipid peroxidation, NO and H2O2) was observed at postnatal days (PNDs) 20 and 30, along with decreased activities of antioxidants markers (total thiol, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase) in neonatal cerebellum with respect to control group. Also, the administration caused some histopathological changes in neonatal cerebellar cortex, such as oedema, vacuoles, reduction of the Purkinje cells, and cellular fragmentations at PND 30. Thus, hypothyroidism in lactating PTU impairs the neonatal neuroendocrine system via production of free radicals, and this, may cause damage of proteins and lipids at the plasma membrane and cellular components delaying cerebellum development
Keywords: 6-propyl-2-thiouracil, Antioxidants, Cerebellum, Prooxidant, Rat newborns, Thyroid
