Protective effects of copper against aluminum toxicity on acetylcholinesterase and catecholamine contents of different regions of rat's brain.
The probable protective effects of copper on the acetylcholinesterase activity and the catecholamine levels in cerebellum, cortex and mid-brain of rat, which was intoxicated by aluminum, were studied during short and long terms. In this respect, male Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g were received daily intraperitoneal doses of aluminum, copper and also combined doses of both metals for 15 days (Al 10 mg kg(-1) BW and Cu 1 mg kg(-1) BW), 30 days (Al 5 mg kg(-1) BW and Cu 0.5 mg kg(-1) BW) and 60 days (Al 1 mg kg(-1) BW and Cu 0.1 mg kg(-1) BW), respectively. The results obtained from the short period of exposure (15 days) showed that aluminum produced significant (P < 0.05) decreases in the acetylcholinesterase activity by 24.14, 23.30 and 25.81 %. Similarly, the catecholamine levels were reduced by 10.69, 12.25 and 12.64 % in cerebellum, cortex and mid-brain, respectively. Treatment with copper increases both acetylcholinesterase activity and catecholamine contents of cerebellum, cortex and mid-brain. Simultaneous injection of copper and aluminum increased both acetylcholinesterase activity and catecholamine contents in all three parts of rat brain when compared to aluminum-treated group. Same results were also observed following 30 and 60 days of exposures. In overall, it has been found that copper may have a protective-like ability to hinder aluminum toxicity in the brain.
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Isfahan, Iran.
Ali Asghar
AA
Moshtaghie
Pedram
P
Malekpouri
Minoo
M
Moshtaghie
Maryam
M
Mohammadi-Nejad
Mohsen
M
Ani
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism; D000535:Aluminum / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000378:metabolism; D003300:Copper / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D002395:Catecholamines; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D003300:Copper; D000535:Aluminum; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase