Exposure to Morphine and Caffeine Induces Apoptosis and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in a Neonatal Rat Brain.

ABSTRACT: Background: Preterm infants experience rapid brain growth during early post-natal life making them vulnerable to drugs acting on central nervous system. Morphine is administered to premature neonates for pain control and caffeine for apnea of prematurity. Simultaneous use of morphine and caffeine is common in the neonatal intensive care unit. Prior studies have shown acute neurotoxicity with this combination, however, little information is available on the mechanisms mediating the neurotoxic effects. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of morphine and caffeine, independently and in combination on mitochondrial dysfunction (Drp1 and Mfn2), neural apoptosis (Bcl-2, Bax, and cell damage) and endothelin (ET) receptors (ET_A and ET_B) in neonatal

SUBMITTER: Kasala S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7530195 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature