Evaluation of hepatic and renal effects in rat dams and their offspring after exposure to paracetamol during gestation and lactation

Paracetamol (PAR) is the analgesic and antipyretic of choice for pregnant and nursing women. PAR may reach the fetus and/or neonate through the placenta and/or milk and effect development. This study evaluated possible hepatic and renal effects in rat dams and their offspring exposed to PAR using a human-relevant route of administration and doses from Gestational Day 6 to Postnatal Day (PND) 21. Dams were gavaged daily with PAR (35 or 350 mg kg(-1)) or water (CON). Dams and pups were killed on PND21 and 22 respectively, and blood was collected for biochemical analysis (aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), urea and creatinine). The kidneys and liver were isolated and processed for histopathological assessment and evaluation of oxidative stress markers. Compared with the CONgroups, pups exposed to 350 mg kg(-1) PAR had increased renal reduced glutathione (GSH), whereas dams exposed to both doses of PAR increased serum AST. PAR administration did not affect parameters of general toxicity or renal and hepatic oxidative stress. In conclusion, maternal exposure to human-relevant doses of PAR by gavage was not associated with hepatic or renal toxicity in the pups or dams, but PAR was not devoid of effects. Exposure to PAR increased renal GSH in pups, which could suggest an adaptive antioxidant response, and affected maternal serum AST activity.