title: Reversal of lead-induced neuronal apoptosis by chelation treatment in rats: role of reactive oxygen species and intracellular Ca(2+).
abstract: Lead, a ubiquitous and potent neurotoxicant causes several neurophysiological and behavioral alterations. Toxic properties of lead have been attributed to its capability to mimic calcium and alter calcium homeostasis. In this study, we have addressed the following issues: 1) whether chelation therapy could circumvent the altered Ca(2+) homeostasis and prevent neuronal death in chronic lead-intoxicated rats, 2) whether chelation therapy could revert altered biochemical and behavioral changes, 3) whether combinational therapy using two different chelating agents was more advantageous over monotherapy in lead-treated rats, and 4) what could be the mechanism of neuronal apoptosis. Results indicated that lead caused a significant increase in reactive oxygen species, neuronal nitric-oxide synthetase, and intracellular free calcium levels along with altered behavioral abnormalities in locomotor activity, exploratory behavior, learning, and memory that were supported by changes in neurotransmitter levels. A fall in membrane potential, release of cytochrome c, and altered bcl(2)/bax ratio indicated mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis. Most of these alterations reverted toward normal level following combination therapy over monotherapy with calcium disodium EDTA (CaNa(2)EDTA) or monoisoamyl meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (MiADMSA). It could be concluded from our present results that combined therapy with CaNa(2)EDTA and MiADMSA might be a better treatment protocol than monotherapy with these chelators in lead-induced neurological disorders. We for the first time report the role of Ca(2+) in regulating neurological dystrophy caused by chronic lead exposure in rats and its recovery with a two-course treatment regime of mono or combination therapy.
authors: Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Defence Research and Development Establishment, Jhansi Rd., Gwalior 474002, India. sjsflora@hotmail.com
authors: Swaran J S
authors: SJ
authors: Flora
authors: Geetu
authors: G
authors: Saxena
authors: Ashish
authors: A
authors: Mehta
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D007854:Lead / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000032:analysis; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D004113:Succimer / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D002614:Chelating Agents; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D007854:Lead; D004492:Edetic Acid; C091888:monoisoamyl-2,3-dimercaptosuccinate; D004113:Succimer; D002118:Calcium