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The teratogenic effect of pregabalin on heart, liver and kidney in rats: a light microscopic, electron microscopic

Omnia I Ismail1, Eman S Shaltout2, Nora Z Abdellah2

  • 1Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71515, Egypt. omnia.ismail@med.aun.edu.eg.

BMC Pharmacology & Toxicology
|January 6, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Pregabalin (PGB) shows dose-dependent embryotoxicity in rats. Higher PGB doses caused significant developmental toxicity, while lower doses had minimal effects.

Area of Science:

  • Toxicology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Pregabalin (PGB) is an anti-epileptic drug with limited data on teratogenic effects.
  • Understanding PGB's developmental toxicity is crucial for its safe use.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the developmental toxicity of Pregabalin (PGB) in a rat model.
  • To assess the impact of PGB on fetal development and organ histology.

Main Methods:

  • 60 pregnant albino rats were divided into three groups: control (no medication), PGB 500 mg/kg, and PGB 1250 mg/kg.
  • Histological, immunohistochemical, and morphometric analyses were performed on pup liver, kidney, and heart specimens.
  • Pups were examined for developmental abnormalities and organ damage.

Main Results:

  • A PGB dose of 500 mg/kg resulted in minimal toxic effects, including mild collagen deposition and moderate caspase-3 expression.
  • A PGB dose of 1250 mg/kg induced significant toxic effects: cardiac myofiber degeneration, ruptured blood vessels, renal cortex vacuolations, fibrosis, and strong caspase-3 expression.
  • These findings indicate dose-dependent embryotoxicity.

Conclusions:

  • Pregabalin (PGB) exhibits embryotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner.
  • Higher doses of PGB lead to more pronounced degenerative changes in developing organs.
  • Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the teratogenic potential of PGB.
Abstract

Keywords:
Caspase 3HeartKidneyLiverPregabalinTeratogenic

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