Gastrointestinal problems in a valproic acid-induced rat model of autism: From maternal intestinal health to offspring intestinal function

Figure 4 Duodenal motility and neurotransmitters are impaired after prenatal valproic acid exposure. A: Duodenal motility in normal saline (NS) and valproic acid (VPA) offspring at different phases of migrating motor complex (MMC); B and C: Duration of MMC phases I + II (B) and III (C) in NS and VPA offspring groups (NS offspring group n = 8, VPA offspring group n = 8). Unpaired t test, ^aP < 0.05, ^bP < 0.01; D and E: Levels of acetylcholine (D) and nitric oxide synthase (E) in NS and VPA offspring groups in the duodenum. Data are presented as the mean ± SD (normal saline offspring group n = 10, valproic acid offspring group n = 10). Unpaired t test, ^bP < 0.01, ^cP < 0.001. NA: Normal saline; VPA: Valproic acid; MMC: Migrating motor complex; ACh: Acetylcholine; NOS: Nitric oxide synthase.