[Effect of aluminum on neuronal mitochondria of rats].
OBJECTIVE
To observe and explore the effect of aluminum on mitochondria in nerve cells of rats.


METHODS
Nerve cells of new born rats (1-3 days) were cultured. Ultrastructure of mitochondria, cell death rate (CDR), reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and MTF were performed to investigate the alteration of mitochondrial structure and functions in cultured nerve cells.


RESULTS
Aluminum can impair the ultrastructure of cultured nerve cells of rats. Increased CDR, enhanced ROS, decreased MMP, and decreased activity of enzyme in mitochondria were investigated in the group of Al3+ 100 micromol/L and Al3+ 500 micromol/L.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study shows that the alteration of mitochondrial structure and functions have played important roles in neurotoxic mechanism induced by aluminum.
Zhang
Qin-li
QL
Department of Occupational Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China.
Niu
Pi-ye
PY
Niu
Qiao
Q
Wang
Lin-ping
LP
D000535:Aluminum / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000187:drug effects; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D000535:Aluminum