Abstract WP153: Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Induces Glucose Intolerance and Exacerbates Stroke Severity in Middle-Aged Rats
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Background and Purpose: Metabolic disorders and cardiovascular diseases in post-natal life have been linked to adverse prenatal environment. There is very little information on the developmental origin of adult diseases, particularly fetal alcohol exposure and stroke outcomes. The present study tested the hypothesis that fetal alcohol exposure induces glucose intolerance and leads to greater stroke severity in middle-aged rats. Methods: Timed-pregnant Sprague Dawley rats (GD12) purchased from Envigo laboratories were intragastrically gavaged with ethanol (3g/kg/bwt) or water twice per day from GD12 through 15. Fetal alcohol exposed (FAE) progeny (10 mo. old) were injected with glucose (1g/kg.bwt) and tested for glucose intolerance (glucose clearance rate at 15, 30 and 60 min.) Animals were subjected to endothelin-1 induced MCAo and outcomes evaluated after 2 and 5 days. Stroke induced disabilities were assessed from behavioral assays (adhesive removal, Vibrissae evoked fore-limb placement and circling) and infarct volume. Results: Glucose tolerance test showed elevated blood glucose levels in both control and FAE group at 15 and 30 min but FAE animals exhibited prolonged elevation of blood glucose (60 min., p< 0.017) compared to control animals. At 2 day post-stroke, FAE animals exhibited greater neurological deficit as determined by their higher score on circling behavior (lack of muscle control, p<0.031) compared to controls. No mortality was seen in the control group while MCAo resulted in 25% mortality in the FAE group. Among the survivors, brain damage assessed by infarct volume at post-stroke 5 day was not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusions: The present findings support the hypothesis that prenatal exposure to alcohol contributes to long-lasting adverse effects on adult health as indicated by poor glucose tolerance and worse neurological outcomes during the acute stage of stroke.
