Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are disorders of the development of the central nervous system (CNS), affecting the structure of brain regions involved in learning and memory, such as the hippocampus. Symptoms include impaired social interactions. The prevalence in Iraq is 89.40 per 10,000 children, with males being 1-4 times more likely than females, Rats are an ideal animal model for studying behavioral aspects of autism mediated by Valproic acid (VPA). Polyphenols present in red grapes Vitis vinifera have been shown to be antioxidant. 20 pregnant female Albino Wistar rats were divided into four groups. The G1 injected with normal saline (0.55 ml to 0.69 ml) according to body weight on gestational day (day 12.5) intraperitoneally (I.P). G2 was injected with 450 mg/kg valproic acid on gestational day (day 12.5E), G3 was administered orally at a dose of 400 mg/kg from day 11.5E until the end of pregnancy. G4 was administered orally at a dose of 400 mg/kg from day 11.5E until the end of pregnancy. They were then injected with 450 mg/kg (I.P) on day 12.5E. The weight and behavior of the male offspring were assessed using the three-chamber test (3CT) and indicators of oxidative stress in hippocampal tissue. G3 showed the highest weight level compared to the other groups, while the G2 recorded a lower average weight than the G1, and the G4 recorded the lowest average weight. In social interaction, the G3,G4 recorded similar high values, but their value decreased in the G2. In social Novelty, the G1,G4 showed similar high values, while the G3 recorded a higher value than the G2 and a lower value than the G1. The G2 recorded the lowest value for social novelty. The Malondialdehyde (MDA) decrease in the G3 and an increase in the G2 compared to the G1. As for the G4, the index value was close to the G1. The glutathione(GSH) in the G3 showed an increase, and it was close to the G1 level in the G4, and decreased in the G2. The G3 showed an increase in superoxide dismutase ( SOD) , a decrease in the G2 compared to the G1, and close to the G1 level in the G4. In conclusion, G3 had a positive effect on weight gain, recording the highest average weights. In contrast, G2 caused a decrease in weight, while the G4 showed the lowest average weights compared to both groups. Alcoholic grape extract improves social interaction, with both groups taking it (either with VPA or alone) recording high and similar values. G2 led to a decrease in social interaction, and in social novelty, the G4 showed a value close to the G1 level. The G3 showed an improvement compared to the G2, but it did not reach the G1 level. The G4 showed an effect in reducing MDA and increasing GSH and SOD when used in combination with VPA. In contrast, G2 caused an increase in MDA and a decrease in GSH and SOD.