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Published on: June 27, 2014
Effects of prenatal co-administration of phentermine and dexfenfluramine in rats
J Bratter1, I H Gessner, N E Rowland
1Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611-2250, USA.
Insights
Prenatal exposure to phentermine and dexfenfluramine did not affect offspring development or motor skills. However, maternal brain changes and mitral valve thickening in 25% of pups were observed, indicating potential long-term effects.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Toxicology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Phentermine and dexfenfluramine are appetite suppressants.
- Concerns exist regarding the developmental effects of prenatal drug exposure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of prenatal phentermine and dexfenfluramine exposure on rat offspring.
- To assess impacts on development, motor coordination, and cardiac health.
Main Methods:
- Pregnant rats received drug infusions during gestation (days 3-17).
- Control groups included pair-fed and ad libitum-fed rats.
- Offspring were assessed for birth weight, motor coordination, and cardiac morphology.
Main Results:
- No significant effects on offspring number, birth weight, or motor coordination at 11 days.
- Mothers exposed to drugs showed reduced serotonergic axon density in the hippocampus.
- 25% of exposed pups exhibited mitral valve thickening.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal phentermine and dexfenfluramine exposure did not impair early offspring development or motor skills.
- Maternal hippocampus and offspring cardiac health may be affected by this drug combination.
- Further research is needed to understand the long-term implications of these findings.
Abstract:
Pregnant rats were infused with phentermine plus dexfenfluramine from days 3 through 17 of gestation. Control rats were either pair-fed or were fed ad libitum. There were no effects of prenatal drug treatment on number of offspring, their birth weights, or on their motor coordination assessed at 11 days of age. Mothers and pups were sacrificed 21 days postpartum. Drug-treated mothers, but not their pups, showed a reduced density of serotonergic axons in the hippocampus compared with controls. 25% of the pups from the prenatal drug group showed mitral valve thickening.
