# Clomipramine Induced Oxidative Stress and Morphological Alterations in the Prefrontal Cortex and Limbic System of Neonatal Rats

## TL;DR

Neonatal exposure to clomipramine causes lasting brain changes in rats, leading to oxidative stress and structural damage in adulthood.

## Contribution

This study reveals that early-life clomipramine exposure induces persistent oxidative stress and morphological brain changes in adulthood.

## Key findings

- Neonatal clomipramine exposure reduces GSH and increases GSSG and malondialdehyde in brain regions.
- Histological analysis shows neuronal degeneration and disorganized tissue in treated rats.
- Oxidative stress and structural damage persist and worsen over time in adulthood.

## Abstract

Although clomipramine (CLO) is widely used as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, its subchronic administration during the early stages of brain development leads to depressive-like behaviors in adulthood. High doses of CLO have been linked to mitochondrial impairment and increased reactive oxygen species in cells and adult animals. It is unknown whether subchronic administration of this drug at early ages can induce oxidative stress (OS) in adulthood. The objective of this study was to evaluate OS and cellular damage in the prefrontal cortex and limbic system (hippocampus and amygdala) of rats exposed to CLO neonatally. Methods: Forty male Wistar rats were divided into experimental (EXP) and control (CTRL) groups. The EXP animals received CLO (15 mg/kg, twice daily, subcutaneously, postnatal days 5–35); the CTRL animals received saline. At 55 and 85 days of age, the brains were collected for biochemical assays and histological analysis. Results: Rats exposed to neonatal CLO presented significant reductions in reduced glutathione (GSH) and increases in oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and malondialdehyde in both studied regions, especially on day 85. The GSH/GSSG ratio decreased, indicating persistent OS. Histology revealed neuronal degeneration, pyknotic nuclei, cell shrinkage, and disorganized tissue, which progressed from days 55 to 85. Conclusions: Early exposure to CLO can cause long-lasting neurochemical and structural alterations in the brain regions associated with the regulation of emotions and some behavioral responses that can persist over time and affect behavior in adulthood.