The Effects of Maternal Exposure Riboflavin to Prevent Uterus Arsenic Damage in Offspring Rats

Background: In this study, the efficacy of riboflavin (VB2) in preventing uterus As2O_3 damage was investigated for the first time in the literature. Methods: The rats received 40 μg LHRHa for estrus synchronization. 48 pregnant Wistar rats were included in the study. Four groups were formed with 7 rats in each group: Sham, 1.5 mg arsenic trioxide (As_2O_3/L) alone or in combination with VB2 (20 and 40 mg/L) in drinking water (for 21 days continuously). Moreover, similar to maternal generation treatment the F1-female generation was arranged (for 35 days continuously until puberty). Results: Based on the results, As_2O_3 reduced body weight and feed intake (P 0.05). Furthermore, the serum malondialdehyde levels in the As_2O_3 group were significantly higher than that of the control group (P 0.05). At the same time, the total antioxidative status and the activities of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase were reduced (P 0.05). Meanwhile, As_2O_3 remarkably increased the inflammatory markers production [interleukin 6 and C-reactive protein] (P 0.05). As_2O_3 administration induced uterus apoptosis-related genes by upregulating caspase-3, iNOS, and Bax genes and downregulating Bcl-2 gene of pubertal F1-female rats (P 0.05). Conclusion: Our observation indicated that VB2 therapy is potentially an effective strategy to modify the detrimental effects of As_2O_3 in pubertal F1-female rats via suppresses oxidative damages.