[Effect of exposure to higher decabrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE-209) on learning and memory functions of BALB/c mice].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of exposure to decabrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE-209) on learning and memory of BALB/c mice.


METHODS
Eighteen female BALB/c mice were randomized divided into 3 groups and gavaged with peanut oil in the control groups and 300, 1500 mg x kg(-1)xd(-1) PBDE-209 in peanut oil daily in two exposed groups respectively for 4 weeks. The learning and memory ability of mice were tested by the Morris water maze and the shuttling box respectively. The body weight and organs index were measured and the acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activity in brain were determined. The liver histopathological examination was performed.


RESULTS
The heart index in high dose PBDE-209 group was higher than that of the low dose PBDE-209 group (P < 0.05). The results of Morris water maze showed that escape latency period was significantly shorter than the control group (F = 3.134, P < 0.05). The swimming time in the second quadrant of low dose PBDE-209 group was (15.78 +/- 10.92) s, significantly shorter compared with the swimming time in the second quadrant of the control group's [(28.80 +/- 8.67) s] (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the times of active avoidance in the shuttling between three groups (F = 3.423, P = 0.06). There were no significant differences in acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activity in brain of PBDE-209 groups compared with the control group (P > 0.05). Histologically liver damages in structure such as adipose degeneration and swelling were observed in PBDE groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Exposure to PBDE-209 slightly impairs the space learning and memory ability of BALB/c mice, and it has some hepatotoxicity.
Zhai
Jin-Xia
JX
Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
Zhang
Zhao-Xiang
ZX
Feng
Ya-Juan
YJ
Ding
Shu-Shu
SS
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / Q000633:toxicity*; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D018675:Toxicity Tests
D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; C010902:decabromobiphenyl ether