Spatial learning and memory impairment and pathological change in rats induced by acute exposure to microcystin-LR.
Microcystin-LR (MCLR) is a commonly encountered blue-green algal hepatotoxin and a known inhibitor of cellular protein phosphatase. However, little is known about its neurotoxicity. By using Morris water maze, histopathological and biochemical analysis, we investigated MCLR-induced neurotoxicity on the hippocampus of rat brain. After rats were intrahippocampally injected with MCLR (1 and 10 μg/L), their learning and memory function was greatly impaired, suggesting the neurotoxic potential of MCLR. Meanwhile, obvious histological and ultrastructural injuries and serious oxidative damage were also observed in the hippocampus. These results suggested that oxidative stress might be involved in the MCLR-induced pathological damage in hippocampus, subsequently leading to the spatial learning and memory deficit of rat. Taken together, our results highlighted the MCLR-induced neurotoxicity in the rat, as well as the importance of oxidative stress and pathological impairment in this procedure.
Fisheries College, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
Guangyu
G
Li
Wei
W
Yan
Fei
F
Cai
Cairong
C
Li
Nan
N
Chen
Jianghua
J
Wang
D000818:Animals; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000633:toxicity; D056547:CA1 Region, Hippocampal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008297:Male; D008387:Marine Toxins; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D052998:Microcystins / Q000633:toxicity*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism
D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D008387:Marine Toxins; D052998:Microcystins; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; C057862:cyanoginosin LR