Background: A complex interaction between cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEA-S) is crucial in the stress system balance; several studies have reported increased cortisol levels during chronic stress and a weak counter-regulation by DHEA-S. During pregnancy, scarce information about this system is available, although cortisol and DHEA-S play an important role in the initiation and acceleration of labor. We conducted the present study in order to determine both cortisol and DHEA-S levels during the last trimester of pregnancy in patients exhibiting severe anxiety. Methods: Pregnant women during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy were evaluated by using the self-reported version of the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS). According to the scores obtained from the psychometric scale, participants were divided into two groups: 1) patients exhibiting a cutoff score > 15 were considered with severe anxiety (ANX) (n = 101), and control pregnant subjects (CTRL) (n = 44) with a cutoff score < 5. Morning cortisol, DHEA-S and Cortisol/DHEA-S index were measured in all participants. Comparisons between groups were performed; additionally, correlations between clinical variables, biochemical data and HARS were calculated. Results: Cortisol levels were significantly higher in the ANX group (p < 0.001), whereas those of DHEA-S were significantly lower in the same group (p < 0.01) when compared to healthy pregnant subjects. An increased cortisol/DHEA-S index was observed in the ANX group (p < 0.05). A significant association between cortisol and HARS scores (p = 0.03), was observed even after adjusting by gestational weeks (p = 0.004). Conclusions: Our data support that the cortisol/DHEA-S index is higher in pregnant women with high anxiety levels as compared with healthy pregnant women.

The primary strategy to avoid mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through breastfeeding is administration of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) to HIV-positive pregnant women. Because significant changes in the pharmacokinetics of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs occur during pregnancy, quantifying HAART and the viral load in breast milk in this population is essential. Here, we developed an analytical assay for the simultaneous quantification of four ARV drugs in breast milk using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. We validated this method following Mexican and international guidelines. ARV drugs. We extracted the ARV drugs from 200 μL samples of breast milk and detected these drugs in a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with positive electrospray ionization. The validated concentration ranges (ng/mL) for zidovudine, lamivudine, lopinavir, and ritonavir were 12.5–750, 50–2500, 100–5000 and 5 to 250, respectively. Additionally, the absolute recovery percentages (and matrix effects) were 91.4 (8.39), 88.78 (28.75), 91.38 (11.77) and 89.78 (12.37), respectively. We determined that ARV drugs are stable for 24 h at 8°C and 24°C for 15 days at –80°C. This methodology had the capacity for simultaneous detection; separation; and accurate, precise quantification of ARV drugs in human breast milk samples according to Mexican standard laws and United States Food and Drug Administration guidelines.

Background: Prenatal stress has been reported to harm the physiological and biochemical functions of the brain of the offspring, potentially resulting in anxiety- and depression-like behaviors later in life. Trans-Resveratrol (RESV) is known for its anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, and antidepressant properties. However, whether administering RESV during pregnancy can counteract the anxiety- and depression-like behaviors induced by maternal stress is unknown. Objective: This study aimed to assess the protective potential of RESV against molecular and behavioral changes induced by prenatal stress. Methods: During pregnancy, the dams received 50 mg/kg BW/day of RESV orally. They underwent a movement restriction for forty-five minutes, three times a day, in addition to being exposed to artificial light 24 h before delivery. The male offspring were left undisturbed until early adulthood, at which point they underwent behavioral assessments, including the open field test, elevated plus maze, and forced swim test. Subsequently, they were euthanized, and the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex were extracted for RT-qPCR analysis to measure Bdnf mRNA expression. Results: By weaning, results showed that prenatal stress led to reduced weight gain and, in adulthood, increased anxiety- and depression-like behaviors and changes in Bdnf mRNA expression. However, these effects were attenuated by maternal RESV supplementation. Conclusions: The findings suggest that RESV can prevent anxiety- and depression-like behaviors induced by prenatal stress by modulating Bdnf mRNA expression.

Prenatal stress has been reported to harm the physiological and biochemical functions of the brain of the offspring, potentially resulting in anxiety- and depression-like behaviors later in life. Trans- Resveratrol (RESV) is known for its anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, and antidepressant properties. However, whether administering RESV during pregnancy can counteract the anxiety- and de-pression like behaviors induced by maternal stress is unknown. This study aimed to assess the protective potential of RESV against molecular and behavioral changes induced by prenatal stress. During pregnancy, the dams received 50 mg/kg BW/day of RESV orally. They underwent a movement restriction for forty-five minutes, three times a day, in addition to being exposed to artificial light 24 hours before delivery. The male offspring were left undisturbed until early adulthood, at which point they underwent behavioral assessments, including the open field test, elevated plus maze, and forced swim test. Subsequently, they were euthanized, and the hippo-campus and prefrontal cortex were extracted for RT-qPCR analysis to measure Bdnf mRNA ex-pression. By weaning, results showed that prenatal stress led to reduced weight gain and, in adulthood, increased anxiety- and depression-like behaviors and changes in Bdnf mRNA expres-sion. However, these effects were attenuated by maternal RESV supplementation. The findings suggest that RESV can prevent anxiety- and depression-like behaviors induced by prenatal stress by modulating Bdnf mRNA expression.

Among the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds proposed as selective modulators of γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA _A ) receptor subtype, dihydropyrimidinone JM-II-43A figures as a promising probe molecule for the study of neurological disorders. In this work, its anticonvulsant activity was examined in vivo, in addition to its HSAB parameters as a prospective biological predictor to compared them with its racemic aza-Biginelli homologous ( 11a – i ) containing π − donor, σ-acceptor and σ-neutral substituents as key modulators of the physicochemical parameters. To rationalize structure–property relationships and predict trends in global chemical reactivity, their paramount global chemical reactivity descriptors (E _LUMO , E _HOMO , ΔE _{(LUMO–HOMO)} , IP, EA, η, χ, σ, μ, and ω) were determined using quantum chemical calculations performed at DFT B3LYP/6–311 + + G (**) levels of theory. Additionally, its anticonvulsant activity was assessed in CF1 male mice using PTZ pharmacological model. Overall, the aza-Biginelli compounds 11a ( f ) exhibited the most pronounced seizure-inhibitory response at 10 mg/kg, outperforming the reference compound JM-II-43A at this dose. Although the overall anticonvulsant potency was moderate, all aza-Biginelli products tested showed a favorable safety profile (LD50 > 1000 mg/kg).