[Toxic effects of aluminum on human embryonic cerebral neurocytes in vitro studies].
OBJECTIVE
To study the toxic effect of aluminum on human embryonic cerebral neurocytes in vitro studies.


METHODS
Human embryonic cerebral neurocytes were divided into three groups (control, low Al and high Al groups). The growth, development and morphology of neurocytes were observed by light and electron microscopy. The protein, DNA, lipid peroxide (LPO) contents and the activity of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and cholinesterase (CHE) of neurocytes were detected.


RESULTS
The number of viable cells in high Al group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The number of swelling, degenerated and necrotic cells was significantly increased in high Al group. The DNA content and the activity of NSE and CHE of neurocytes were significantly decreased with the increase of Al concentrations (P < 0.05). The LPO content of neurocytes in the high Al group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between the Al dose and LPO content of neurocytes (P < 0.05). The electron microscopy study showed that the membrane structure of cell was damaged in the high Al group and the arrangement of microtubules in the processes was disordered.


CONCLUSIONS
The growth, development and function of human embryonic cerebral neurocytes was inhibited in the high Al group. The neurotoxicity of Al may be caused by lipid peroxidation and the damage of cell membrane.
Huang
G
G
Nutrition Research Unit, College of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China.
Kang
J
J
Zhang
W
W
Liu
L
L
Yu
M
M
Mei
M
M
Dong
Y
Y
D000535:Aluminum / Q000633:toxicity*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D002802:Cholinesterases / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D006801:Humans; D008054:Lipid Peroxides / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000378:metabolism
D008054:Lipid Peroxides; D004247:DNA; D000535:Aluminum; D002802:Cholinesterases; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase