Folic acid fortification prevents morphological and behavioral consequences of X-Ray exposure during neurulation

Kai Craenen, Mieke Verslegers, Zsuzsanna Callaerts-Vegh, Livine Craeghs, Jasmine Buset, Kristof Govaerts, Mieke Neefs, Willy Gsell, Sarah Baatout, Rudi D'Hooge, Uwe Himmelreich, Lieve Moons, Mohammed Abderrafi Benotmane

    Research outputpeer-review

    Abstract

    Previous studies suggested a causal link between pre-natal exposure to ionizing radiation and birth defects such as microphthalmos and exencephaly. In mice, these defects arise primarily after high-dose X-irradiation during early neurulation. However, the impact of sublethal (low) X-ray doses during this early developmental time window on adult behavior and morphology of central nervous system structures is not known. In addition, the efficacy of folic acid (FA) in preventing radiation-induced birth defects and persistent radiation-induced anomalies has remained unexplored. To assess the efficacy of FA in preventing radiation-induced defects, pregnant C57BL6/J mice were X-irradiated at embryonic day (E)7.5 and were fed FA-fortified food. FA partially prevented radiation-induced (1.0 Gy) anophthalmos, exencephaly and gastroschisis at E18, and reduced the number of pre-natal deaths, fetal weight loss and defects in the cervical vertebrae resulting from irradiation. Furthermore, FA food fortification counteracted radiation-induced impairments in vision and olfaction, which were evidenced after exposure to doses ≥0.1 Gy. These findings coincided with the observation of a reduction in thickness of the retinal ganglion cell and nerve fiber layer, and a decreased axial length of the eye following exposure to 0.5 Gy. Finally, MRI studies revealed a volumetric decrease of the hippocampus, striatum, thalamus, midbrain and pons following 0.5 Gy irradiation, which could be partially ameliorated after FA food fortification. Altogether, our study is the first to offer detailed insights into the long-term consequences of X-ray exposure during neurulation, and supports the use of FA as a radioprotectant and antiteratogen to counter the detrimental effects of X-ray exposure during this crucial period of gestation.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1-21
    Number of pages21
    JournalFrontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience
    DOIs
    StatePublished - 8 Jan 2021

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