TBARS and BDNF levels in newborns exposed to crack/cocaine during pregnancy: a comparative study

Abstract

Objectives: To compare levels of a marker of lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, TBARS) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in umbilical cord blood (UCB) between newborns exposed to crack/cocaine in utero (exposed newborns [EN], n=57) and nonexposed newborns (NEN, n=99), as well as in maternal peripheral blood at delivery. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Potential confounders, including perinatal parameters, psychopathology, and use of other substances, were assessed. Results: After adjusting for potential confounders, adjusted mean BDNF was significantly higher in EN (3.86 ng/mL, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 2.29-5.43) than in NEN (0.85 ng/mL, 95%CI 0.47-1.23; p o 0.001; Cohen effect size: 1.12), and significantly lower in crack/cocaine mothers than in control mothers (4.03 ng/mL, 95%CI 2.87-5.18 vs. 6.67 ng/mL, 95%CI 5.60-7.74; p = 0.006). The adjusted mean TBARS level was significantly lower in EN (63.97 mM MDA, 95%CI 39.43-88.50) than NEN (177.04 mM MDA, 95%CI 140.93-213.14; p o 0.001; effect size = 0.84), with no difference between mother groups (p = 0.86). Conclusions: The changes in TBARS levels observed in EN suggest that fetuses exposed to cocaine mobilize endogenous antioxidant routes since very early stages of development. The increase in BDNF levels in EN might indicate changes in fetal development, whereas the changes in BDNF levels in mothers provide evidence of the complex metabolic processes involved in drug use during pregnancy.

Crack and motor development of babies living in an assistance shelter

“…The effects of crack on mothers and their children exposed to crack in utero are very divergent 7,8 and this manifestation may continue after birth, both through breastfeeding and passive inhalation, resulting in long-term effects of the drug in the child's organism. Research have observed that newborns exposed to crack in utero express neuroprotectors and increase the levels of neurotrophic factors, while their mothers do not 7,8 .…”

“…Drug use during pregnancy can bring consequences to babies. Recent studies show babies with smaller than normal head circumference, lower birth weight, premature birth, congenital malformations, and future problems such as neurobehavioral problems in childhood and adolescence [6][7][8] .…”

“…The Childhood and Youth Report 12 stated that approximately 29 thousand children and adolescents were in institutional care in Brazil, mainly due to parents/guardians being chemical/alcohol dependent (81%) and negligent (81%). Several studies have shown results of alterations in children whose mothers have used drugs during pregnancy [6][7][8][9][10][11][12] , because the drug metabolism is delayed due to the decreased expression of plasma and liver cholinesterases 13 , alterations such as: placental abruption, congenital malformation, premature birth, low birth weight, smaller head circumference, among other alterations [14][15][16] . In older children and teenagers, the most commonly found problems are behavioral and cognitive 17 .…”

Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor concentrations in maternal and umbilical cord blood of opium‐addicted mothers

“…Mardini et al (2017) measured the BDNF level in newborns exposed to crack/cocaine during pregnancy and showed that BDNF level was higher in the umbilical cord and lower in the maternal blood compared to the control group. They suggested that the increase in BDNF levels in newborns exposed to crack/cocaine might indicate changes in fetal development, while the changes in BDNF levels in mothers provide evidence of the complex metabolic processes involved in drug use during pregnancy.…”

O uso de drogas ilícitas na gravidez e as consequências para a mãe e para o feto

“…Ainda sob a perspectiva dos prejuízos fetais causados pelo uso de substâncias de abuso, dispõem-se que o estresse oxidativo (desequilíbrio entre a geração de compostos oxidantes) é fator responsável por patologias como: artrite, choque hemorrágico, doenças do coração, catarata, disfunções cognitivas, neoplasias e AIDS. O estresse oxidativo foi estudado por Mardini et al (2017), que, devido a meia vida curta das espécies reativas de oxigênio, quantificou um dos vários produtos dos danos produzidos pelo estresse oxidativo no corpo, o TBARS. Em recém-nascidos expostos às drogas ilícitas observa-se diminuição nos níveis de TBARS (marco da peroxidação lipídica) no sangue do cordão umbilical, fato que gera falha na homeostasia corporal e pode levar as patologias supracitadas.…”