Effects of Caffeine on the Saturated and Monounsaturated Fatty Acids of the Newborn Rat Cerebellum

Abstract

Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) is one of the most commonly consumed drugs in our daily life, and its use is increasing. However, very little attention has been paid to its potential effects on early growth and development. Because of the steady increase in breast feeding of infants and because caffeine diffuses readily into breast milk, the present study examined if caffeine intake by newborn rats during lactation would affect the saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in the growing cerebellum. A total of 10 timed pregnant rats were purchased from the breeder. At birth litters were combined, and 8 pups were randomly assigned to each dam without regard to the sex of the pups. Dams with litters were divided into 2 groups. Dams of group 1 received a 20% protein diet as a control, and dams of group 2 received a 20% protein diet plus caffeine (4 mg/100 g BW). Pups were killed at day 10. The cerebellums were removed, weighed and homogenized. Gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry was used to identify and quantify free fatty acids. Chronic caffeine exposure from birth to day 10 in pups through the maternal milk resulted in a decrease in cerebellum weight, a significant increase in the saturated fatty acids, and a tendency toward an increase of monounsaturated fatty acids. In addition, there was a slight increase of some of the polyunsaturated fatty acids. However, there was no difference in food intake of the lactating dams and weight gain of the pups between the groups. These data indicate that early caffeine intake by the suckling pups alters the composition of fatty acids of the cerebellum; thus, avoidance of caffeine during lactation is critical. The risks and benefits of caffeine administration in premature infants must be carefully evaluated during this rapid period of brain growth.

The Conflicting Role of Caffeine Supplementation on Hyperoxia-Induced Injury on the Cerebellar Granular Cell Neurogenesis of Newborn Rats

“…High caffeine citrate increased total dendritic length and arborization of layer III pyramidal neurons of the prefrontal cortex at P35 and P70 of newborn rat pups when administrated at P1 to P12 [ 111 ]. Decreased cerebellar weight and increased saturated fatty acid concentration of the cerebellum were detected after caffeine citrate administration to newborn rats for ten postnatal days [ 112 ]. Moderate caffeine administrated to rat pups from P2 until P6 decreased adenosine receptor subtype A1 binding in the molecular layer of cerebellum [ 113 ].…”

Caffeine and brain development in very preterm infants

“…In contrast, other experimental studies have found potential neurotoxicity and behavioral dysfunction following caffeine administration. Studies have documented alterations in astrocytogenesis,27 increased neuronal cell death,9, 28, 29 reduction in proliferating glial cells,3 and decreased weight and altered fatty acid composition in the cerebellum in caffeine‐treated rat and mice pups 30. There have also been reports of behavioral dysfunction including hyperalgesia,4 hypoactivity,31 and impaired spatial learning tasks that persist into adulthood in rats exposed to caffeine within the first week 4.…”

Monitoring blood caffeine concentration in preterm infants: a retrospective observational study

“…It is still unknown whether high blood concentrations of caffeine have an impact on neurological prognosis. However, several studies have reported that high blood concentrations of caffeine are detrimental to brain neurons [16][17][18]. Therefore, the results show that patients with high blood concentrations of caffeine require long-term developmental follow-up.…”