Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40779023›Full record

ArticleJournal of molecular histology2025

Vitamin A supplementation restores neuroanatomical integrity and behavior in a valproic acid-induced autism model.

Fatima Ezzahra Kacimi, Hicham Esselmani, Soumia Ed-Day, Habiba Nechchadi, Mohamed Merzouki, Mhamed Ramchoun, Fatima-Zahra Azzaoui, Samira Boulbaroud

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in Journal of molecular histology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Fatima Ezzahra KacimiBiotechnology and Sustainable Development of Natural Resources Unit, Polydisciplinary Faculty, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco. kacimi88fz@gmail.com.
Hicham EsselmaniBiological Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco.
Soumia Ed-DayUnit of Neuroscience, Neuroimmunology and Behavior, Laboratory of Biology and Health, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, Morocco.
Habiba NechchadiBiotechnology and Sustainable Development of Natural Resources Unit, Polydisciplinary Faculty, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco.
Mohamed MerzoukiBiological Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco.
Mhamed RamchounBiotechnology and Sustainable Development of Natural Resources Unit, Polydisciplinary Faculty, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco.
Fatima-Zahra AzzaouiUnit of Neuroscience, Neuroimmunology and Behavior, Laboratory of Biology and Health, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, Morocco.
Samira BoulbaroudBiotechnology and Sustainable Development of Natural Resources Unit, Polydisciplinary Faculty, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by social deficits, repetitive behaviors, and cognitive impairments. Evidence suggests that Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) may exacerbate ASD-related abnormalities, while Vitamin A supplementation (VAS) may offer neuroprotection. This study investigates the effects of Vitamin A modulation on neuronal integrity, cognitive function, and social behavior in a valproic acid (VPA)-induced ASD rat model, focusing on histological changes, behavioral outcomes, and serum Vitamin A levels. Pregnant Wistar rats received VPA (500 mg/kg) on gestational day 12.5. Offspring were divided into Control, VPA, VAD, VPA + VAD, and VPA + VAS (2000 IU/kg diet) groups. Serum Vitamin A levels were quantified using spectrophotometry. Histopathological analysis of the hippocampus, cerebellum, and prefrontal cortex (PFC) assessed neuronal and glial cell densities. Behavioral tests included the Three-Chamber Social Interaction Test for sociability and the Novel Object Recognition Test for memory function. Serum analysis showed significantly lower Vitamin A levels in VAD and VPA + VAD groups, while VAS restored levels. Histological analysis revealed reduced neuronal density and increased glial activation in VPA, VAD, and VPA + VAD groups. The VPA + VAS group exhibited partial neuronal recovery. Behaviorally, VAS improved sociability and memory performance, correlating with neuronal preservation. These findings suggest that Vitamin A deficiency worsens ASD-related impairments, while supplementation restores neuronal integrity and cognitive function, highlighting its potential therapeutic role in ASD.

Indexed as

Autism Spectrum DisorderAutistic DisorderBehavior, AnimalDietary SupplementsValproic AcidVitamin AAnimalsDisease Models, AnimalFemaleHippocampusMaleNeuronsPregnancyRatsRats, WistarSocial BehaviorValproic AcidVitamin AAutism spectrum disorder (ASD)Cognitive functionNeuronal densityNeuroprotectionValproic acid (VPA)Vitamin A modulation

Identifiers

PMID40779023

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.