| Popis: |
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global public health problem and Egypt has the highest HCV prevalence worldwide. Hence, global efforts target to eliminate HCV by 2030. Sofosbuvir is a nucleotide analogue inhibitor of HCV polymerase essential for viral replication. Animal studies prove that Sofosbuvir metabolites cross the placenta and are excreted in the milk of nursing animals. We aimed to investigate the possible effects of preconception maternal exposure to Sofosbuvir on the mitochondrial biogenesis in prenatal fetal liver, skeletal muscle and placental tissues using female rats. The study was conducted on 20 female albino rats classified into 2 groups, control group including 10 healthy rats receiving placebo, and exposed group including 10 rats receiving 4 mg/kg of Sofosbuvir. At the end of the 3-month treatment period, pregnancy was induced in both groups by mating with healthy male rats overnight. At gestational day 17, all pregnant female rats were sacrificed. Each fetus was dissected to obtain the fetal liver, skeletal muscle and placental tissues. The results of our study indicated that the preconception exposure of young female rats to Sofosbuvir affects pregnancy outcomes, decreases fertility, and impacts mitochondrial biogenesis and functions in prenatal fetal liver, skeletal muscle and placental. |
