title: Effect of grape seed proanthocyanidin extracts on methylmercury-induced neurotoxicity in rats.
abstract: As a highly toxic environmental pollutant, methylmercury (MeHg) can cause neurotoxicity in animals and humans. Considering the antioxidant property of grape seed proanthocyanidin extracts (GSPE), this study was aimed to evaluate the effect of GSPE on MeHg-induced neurotoxicity in rats. Rats were exposed to MeHg by intraperitoneal injection (4, 12 μmol/kg, respectively) and GSPE was administered by gavage (250 mg/kg) 2 h later. After a 4-week treatment, phosphate-activated glutaminase, glutamine synthetase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities, glutamate, glutamine, malondialdehyde and glutathione contents in cerebral cortex were measured. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis were also estimated in cells. The results showed that the MeHg-induced neurotoxicity was significantly attenuated. GSPE significantly decreased the production of ROS, counteracted oxidative damage and increased the antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes activities in rats prior to MeHg exposure. Moreover, the effects on the rate of apoptotic cells and the disturbance of glutamate homeostasis were correspondingly modulated. These observations highlighted the potential of GSPE in offering protection against MeHg-induced neurotoxicity.
authors: Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
authors: Haibo
authors: H
authors: Yang
authors: Zhaofa
authors: Z
authors: Xu
authors: Wei
authors: W
authors: Liu
authors: Yangang
authors: Y
authors: Wei
authors: Yu
authors: Y
authors: Deng
authors: Bin
authors: B
authors: Xu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005974:Glutamate-Ammonia Ligase / Q000378:metabolism; D005972:Glutaminase / Q000378:metabolism; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D056604:Grape Seed Extract / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D044945:Proanthocyanidins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D056604:Grape Seed Extract; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds; D044945:Proanthocyanidins; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; C013221:proanthocyanidin; D008315:Malondialdehyde; C073972:dimethyl mercury; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005972:Glutaminase; D005974:Glutamate-Ammonia Ligase; D005978:Glutathione