Alterações ontogênicas, imunológicas e comportamentais da exposição ao crack durante o período gestacional

Abstract

Crack is the crystal form of cocaine that has a high addictive power and stimulates the central nervous system (CNS). Crack has potentiated actions due to the substances generated by its pyrolysis, increasing the bioavailability, the speed of metabolism and drug addiction. The increased consumption of psychoactive drugs by women of childbearing age has generated many challenges in the health and social areas. Crack use by pregnant women has been correlated with a higher incidence of premature fetuses, CNS malformations and cell damage, as well as changes in the immune system. Our study aimed to evaluate the effects of gestational exposure to crack cocaine in pregnant rats on placental cells, immune organs, maternal and anxiety-like behavior, and sensorimotor reflex development. Pregnant rats were exposed to air or crack cocaine (200 mg, for 10 min) from the 5th to the 9th day or until the end of pregnancy. Gestational exposure to crack cocaine increased trophoblastic cell death and reduced viable cells, associated with reduced growth of ectoplacental cones in cell death assays by flow cytometry and outgrowth. In addition, exposure to crack during pregnancy reduced the relative weight of the spleen, as well as the number of total splenocytes and CD8+ T lymphocyte subpopulations by the flow cytometry technique. Finally, exposure to crack led to anxiogeniclike behavior and negligence in maternal care. Taken together, our findings provide insight into gestational changes promoted following exposure to crack cocaine and support future clinical interventions and treatments.