title: [Research of aluminum to the cognitive ability and genome-wide methylation in rats].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of aluminum exposure on cognition ability and genome-wide methylation in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-two healthy SD male rats were randomly assigned by weight into two parts and nine groups (eight rats/group). Exposure part included control group and low, medium and high dose aluminum maltolate group (0.27, 0.54 and 1.08 mg/kg alumium maltolate). Intervention part included control group, 1.08 mg/kg aluminum maltolate group, 1.08 mg/kg aluminum maltolate and low,medium and high dose folic acid group (0.7, 1.5 and. 3.4 mg/kg folic acid). Aluminum maltolate were subjected to peritoneal injection (0.2 ml/d) and folic acid were subjected to intragastric administration in 1 ml/100 g for 60 days. The learning and memory abilities were examined by using Morris water maze test and genome-wide methylation was determined via ELISA assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was revealed by Morris water maze test that target quadrant residence time and through the original position were markedly shortened as a result of medium and high dose aluminum exposure when compared with control group (both P < 0.05). The target quadrant residence time and through the original position were extended as a result of folic acid intervention when compared with 1.08 mg/kg aluminum maltolate exposure group. Both of them had statistical difference between 1.08 mg/kg aluminum maltolate and (1.5 mg/kg and 3.4 mg/kg) folic acid intervention group and 1.08 mg/kg aluminum maltolate exposure group (both P < 0.05). Considerable decrease in genome-wide methylation rate was associated with elevated dosage of aluminum maltolate (0.54 mg/kg and 1.08 mg/kg) as compared with control group (both P < 0.05). The genome-wide methylation rate was gradually increase as a result of high-dose folic acid intervention when compared with high-dose aluminum maltolate exposure group (both P < 0.05). Both of them had no statistical difference when compared with control group (both P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Aluminum may induce learning and memory abilities and decrease genome-wide methylation rate in rats. Folic acid supplementation may improve its effect.
authors.forename: Yuzhou
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Xiaojuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Pei
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: Pan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Zhaoyang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Qiao
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Niu
mesh_terms: D000535:Aluminum / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D005492:Folic Acid; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects; D008745:Methylation; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D011753:Pyrones; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D011753:Pyrones; C067527:aluminum maltolate; D005492:Folic Acid; D000535:Aluminum