Effect of Phytosterols on Brain Development in Iodine Deficient Rat Model- A Comparative Study

Iodine deficiency leads to insufficient production of thyroid hormone which may cause many harmful consequences in humans. Owing to the cumulative impact of maternal, prenatal, and neonatal iodine deficiency, infants born with this condition can suffer mental retardation, developmental abnormalities, and disabilities. The present study is an effort to assess the functional role of β-sitosterol (phytosterol) and quercetin (flavonoid) in the brain development. An iodine-deficient rat model was developed by feeding 0.025% of methimazole (MMI). These hypothyroid-induced young adult female Wistar rats were followed by mating with healthy male rats. During the whole gestation, these pregnant hypothyroid-induced females received treatment with β-sitosterol (150 mg/kg/day) and quercetin (150 mg/kg/day), both separately and together. Their little born was observed based on hematological profile and behavioral study. RBC, hemoglobin, and total protein level in pups born to a hypothyroid-induced mother were found lower than in the control group. However, it has been observed that the combination of β-sitosterol and quercetin normalises the level of RBC, hemoglobin, and total protein. Motor coordination and memory functions in this iodin-deficient model were found below the normal range. It has been observed that in the iodine-deficient brain, β-sitosterol and quercetin had a significant effect on motor coordination and spatial memory. The brain development of pups born to a hypothyroid-induced mother revealed encouraging effects with the synergistic action of quercetin and β-sitosterol.