[Effect of aluminum chloride on motor activity and species-typical behaviors in mice].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of aluminum chloride on motor and species-typical behaviors in mice.


METHODS
Male ICR mice were administered with drinking double distilled water only containing AlCl(3) (10, 50, 300 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), and control group with drinking double distilled water only for 100 days. Spontaneous activity test, grip strength, beam traversal, tightrope task, food hoarding, and nest construction were used to study the effect of chloride aluminum on motor and species-typical behaviors in mice.


RESULTS
The frequencies of spontaneous activity in low dose group, medium dose group and high dose group [(81.53 +/- 8.97), (71.67 +/- 8.37), (66.73 +/- 6.96) times respectively] were lower than that in control [(106.46 +/- 8.21) times] (P < 0.01), and were negatively correlated with doses (r(s) = -0.42, P < 0.01). Grip strength scores in medium dose group (19.19 +/- 1.48) and high dose group (13.36 +/- 1.46) respectively were lower than that in control (24.31 +/- 1.43) (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Food hoarding was greater in high dose group [96.10 (90.20-99.00) g] than that in control group [84.00 (78.00-90.00) g (P < 0.05)]. The rest of parameters were of no statistical significance.


CONCLUSIONS
Subchronic exposure to AlCl(3) in mice may diminish motor activity and grip strength, but motor coordination was not impaired; alteration in food hoarding suggests damage to hippocampus cell.
Hu
Hao
H
Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province 230032, China.
Yang
Yong-jian
YJ
Li
Xiao-ping
XP
Chen
Gui-hai
GH
D000077410:Aluminum Chloride; D017607:Aluminum Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D002712:Chlorides / Q000633:toxicity*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*
D017607:Aluminum Compounds; D002712:Chlorides; D000077410:Aluminum Chloride