Role of ethanol on aluminum induced biochemical changes on rat brain

Aluminium Induced Neurodegeneration in Rat Cerebellum in the Presence of Ethanol Coexposure

Introduction:

Both aluminium and ethanol are pro-oxidants and neurotoxic. Moderately intake of alcohol may favor the body in coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus etc. Being cheaper aluminium and increasing consumption of alcohol in India mixed with each other and may induce neurotoxicity. The present study was planned to identify the level of aluminium induced neurodegeneration in presence of ethanol coexposure in the cerebellum.

Materials and Methods:

An experimental study was carried out at Dr. RP Government Medical College, Kangra, and Government Medical College, Amritsar, India after due approval from the Institute Animal Ethics Committee. Thirty-two Wistar rats were divided into one vehicle control and three experimental groups. Group I received the normal saline water as the vehicle control group. Group II received aluminium chloride 4.2 mg/kg body weight as the experimental group. Group III received ethanol 1 g/kg body weight as the experimental group. Group IV received both aluminium chloride 4.2 mg/kg body weight and ethanol 1 g/kg body weight as the experimental group. After 3 months of treatment, cerebellum was processed for histopathological observation under the microscope.

Results:

Experimental group treated with aluminium and ethanol separately showed reduction in the number of Purkinje cells, without a prominent nucleolus and well-defined nuclear membrane. Eosinophilic swelling adjacent to Purkinje cell bodies observed. The effects of combined administration of aluminium ethanol treated groups showed with acute neurodegeneration of Purkinje cell layer and granular layer. Pyknosis and neurofibrillary tangle seen in Purkinje cells.

Conclusions:

It has been suggested that the ethanol-induced the effects of aluminium on the cerebellum and plays a significant role in neurotoxicity.

Combined effect of HEDTA and selenium against aluminum induced oxidative stress in rat brain

Aluminium (Al) is a potent neurotoxin and has together with other metals been suggested to be associated with Alzheimer's disease causality. The current study was carried out to investigate the potential role of N(2-hydroxyethyl) ethylenediamine triacetic acid (HEDTA) and Se in combination against Al induced toxicity. Animals were exposed to Al at a dose of 27 mg/kg/d i.p. for 60 days. HEDTA and Se were administered at a dose of 20mg/kg/d i.p. and 0.5mg/kg/d orally, respectively for 7 consecutive days. Induction of oxidative stress was recorded in the brain after Al exposure. Significant decrease was found in the levels of reduced glutathione activities of the enzymes glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, acetyl cholinesterase, and increased levels were observed in LPO and glutathione-S-transferase activity in brain and serum. These parameters responded positively to therapy with HEDTA, but more pronounced beneficial effects were observed when HEDTA was administered in combination with Se. The combination was effective in reducing the concentration of Al and level of DNA damage.