Effects of subclinical hypothyroidism during pregnancy on mtDNA methylation in the brain of rat offspring

Abstract Objective This study aims to investigate the impact of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) during pregnancy on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) methylation in the brain tissues of rat offspring. Materials and methods Sixteen SD rats were randomly divided into two groups: control group (CON) and SCH g...

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Main Authors: Liangzhuo Xie, Yangling Huang, Xiande Ma, Xiaoqiu Ma, Jian Wang, Tianshu Gao, Wei Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-01-01
Series:BMC Neuroscience
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12868-025-00930-2
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author Liangzhuo Xie
Yangling Huang
Xiande Ma
Xiaoqiu Ma
Jian Wang
Tianshu Gao
Wei Chen
author_facet Liangzhuo Xie
Yangling Huang
Xiande Ma
Xiaoqiu Ma
Jian Wang
Tianshu Gao
Wei Chen
author_sort Liangzhuo Xie
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objective This study aims to investigate the impact of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) during pregnancy on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) methylation in the brain tissues of rat offspring. Materials and methods Sixteen SD rats were randomly divided into two groups: control group (CON) and SCH group. BS-seq sequencing was used to analyze mtDNA methylation levels in the offspring’s brain tissues; the 2,7-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA) probe method was employed to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in brain tissues; electron microscopy was utilized to observe the mitochondrial structure in the hippocampal tissues of the offspring. Results In the analysis of differentially methylated regions (DMRs), the mitochondrial chromosome in the SCH group exhibited 23 DMRs compared to the control group. ROS levels in the brain tissues of the SCH group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The mitochondrial structure in the hippocampus of the SCH group was less intact compared to the CON group. Conclusion Subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnant rats may alter the mtDNA methylation pattern in the brains of their offspring, potentially affecting mitochondrial function and structure.
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series BMC Neuroscience
spelling doaj-art-d8d19e5b1572487d9769e757d62f8b832025-01-26T12:16:51ZengBMCBMC Neuroscience1471-22022025-01-0126111010.1186/s12868-025-00930-2Effects of subclinical hypothyroidism during pregnancy on mtDNA methylation in the brain of rat offspringLiangzhuo Xie0Yangling Huang1Xiande Ma2Xiaoqiu Ma3Jian Wang4Tianshu Gao5Wei Chen6Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese MedicineLiaoning University of Traditional Chinese MedicineLiaoning University of Traditional Chinese MedicineLiaoning University of Traditional Chinese MedicineExperimental Animal Center of Liaoning, University of Traditional Chinese MedicineDepartment of Endocrine, Affiliated Hospital, Liaoning University of TCMLiaoning University of Traditional Chinese MedicineAbstract Objective This study aims to investigate the impact of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) during pregnancy on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) methylation in the brain tissues of rat offspring. Materials and methods Sixteen SD rats were randomly divided into two groups: control group (CON) and SCH group. BS-seq sequencing was used to analyze mtDNA methylation levels in the offspring’s brain tissues; the 2,7-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA) probe method was employed to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in brain tissues; electron microscopy was utilized to observe the mitochondrial structure in the hippocampal tissues of the offspring. Results In the analysis of differentially methylated regions (DMRs), the mitochondrial chromosome in the SCH group exhibited 23 DMRs compared to the control group. ROS levels in the brain tissues of the SCH group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The mitochondrial structure in the hippocampus of the SCH group was less intact compared to the CON group. Conclusion Subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnant rats may alter the mtDNA methylation pattern in the brains of their offspring, potentially affecting mitochondrial function and structure.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12868-025-00930-2Subclinical hypothyroidismOffspringmtDNAMethylationBrain tissue
spellingShingle Liangzhuo Xie
Yangling Huang
Xiande Ma
Xiaoqiu Ma
Jian Wang
Tianshu Gao
Wei Chen
Effects of subclinical hypothyroidism during pregnancy on mtDNA methylation in the brain of rat offspring
BMC Neuroscience
Subclinical hypothyroidism
Offspring
mtDNA
Methylation
Brain tissue
title Effects of subclinical hypothyroidism during pregnancy on mtDNA methylation in the brain of rat offspring
title_full Effects of subclinical hypothyroidism during pregnancy on mtDNA methylation in the brain of rat offspring
title_fullStr Effects of subclinical hypothyroidism during pregnancy on mtDNA methylation in the brain of rat offspring
title_full_unstemmed Effects of subclinical hypothyroidism during pregnancy on mtDNA methylation in the brain of rat offspring
title_short Effects of subclinical hypothyroidism during pregnancy on mtDNA methylation in the brain of rat offspring
title_sort effects of subclinical hypothyroidism during pregnancy on mtdna methylation in the brain of rat offspring
topic Subclinical hypothyroidism
Offspring
mtDNA
Methylation
Brain tissue
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12868-025-00930-2
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