Study on the Action of Chia Seed Oil in Rats’ Model of Autism

Abstract

This article mainly focuses on elucidating the effect of chia seed oil (CSO) on autistic traits in offspring rats induced with valproic acid (VPA). Postnatal maturity monitoring are conducted on postnatal day 1-15, and behavioral tests are implemented on postnatal day 49, subsequently, body weight, tail and body length, oxidative stress, the activity of acetylcholinesterase, histopathological analysis, and immunohistochemical staining in the hippocampal serotonin are investigated to confirm the rat model of autism and evaluate the effects of different doses of CSO. Offspring exposed to VPA prenatally exhibits autism-like behavior, delayed eye-opening, olfactory dysfunction, slow growth, poor sociability, high anxiety, and oxidative stress. In addition, neuronal degeneration and cytoplasmic vacuolation are found, and positive areas of hippocampal serotonin are aggrandized. However, treatment with CSO, exceptionally high doses of CSO, significantly improves the poor growth and behavioral disorder, enhanced the protective effect on neurodevelopment, and reduced oxidative stress. Practical application: It can be deduced that CSO has antioxidant and neuroprotective effects, which can provide good protection for autism, especially since high doses of CSO have a significant impact.