Abstract: ObjectiveTo study the effects of perinatal lanthanum exposure on cAMP response element binding protein phosphorylation (p-CREB) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA and protein expression in the hippocampus of offspring rats.MethodsSixty female Wistar rats were divided randomly into control,low-,medium-,and high-dose lanthanum-treated group.Rats in lanthanum-treated groups were administrated with 0.25%,0.5%,and 1%lanthanum chloride(LaCl₃) in drinking water from day 0 of pregnancy to one month after weaning of the offspring,respectively.Then the p-CREB,BDNF mRNA and protein expression in the hippocampus were measured.ResultsCompared to the control group,hippocampal p-CREB protein expressions were 0.77±0.063,0.62±0.057 and 0.52±0.051;the BDNF mRNA expressions were 0.80±0.072,0.56±0.090,and 0.41±0.075 and the BDNF protein expressions were 0.67±0.065,0.59±0.064,and 0.51±0.045 for 0.25%,0.5%,and 1%lanthanum-treated offspring,respectively,with significant decreases(P<0.05).ConclusionPerinatal lanthanum exposure could decrease CREB phosphorylation and BDNF gene transcription and protein expression in the hippocampus of rats.