Biochemical alterations in rat brain following aluminum exposure: Protection with centrophenoxine

Authors: Nehru, Bimla; Bhalla, Punita

Source: Toxicological and Environmental Chemistry, Volume 89, Number 3, July 2007 , pp. 577-585(9)

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Abstract:

Aluminum (Al) is a neurotoxicant potentially affecting ionic, cholinergic, and dopaminergic neurotransmission in the central nervous system. These alterations are known to be associated with learning ability, adaptive responses, and other aspects of behavior. The present experiment was designed to study the neurotoxic consequences of Al exposure on neurotransmitters like dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE) along with the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Furthermore, Centrophenoxine (CpH) was administered as a post treatment to evaluate its potential in Al-induced neurotoxicity. The cognitive functions and memory loss were also studied after both Al and CpH administration. Al was administered orally at a dose of 40 mg kg-1 day-1 for a period of 8 weeks, whereas CpH was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 100-1 mg kg-1 day-1 for a period of 6 weeks. The study was carried out in four regions of the brain, namely cerebrum, cerebellum, medulla oblongata, and hypothalamus. A significant reduction in AChE activity and different neurotransmitters was observed after Al exposure in the regions. CpH as a post treatment proved beneficial in restoring these alterations. Al exposure also affected the cognitive functions and short-term memory, which were significantly improved following CpH post treatment.

Keywords: Aluminum; behavior studies; centrophenoxine; dopamine; serotonin; norepinephrine

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02772240701228763

Affiliations: 1: Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India

Publication date: 2007-07-01