title: Egg white hydrolysate promotes neuroprotection for neuropathic disorders induced by chronic exposure to low concentrations of mercury.
abstract: This study aims to investigate whether the egg white hydrolysate (EWH) acts on the neuropathic disorders associated with long-term Mercury (Hg) exposure in rats. 8- week-old male Wistar rats were treated for 60 days with: a) Control - saline solution (i.m.); b) Mercury - HgCl2 (1st dose 4.6μg/kg, subsequent doses 0.07μg/kg/day, i.m.); c) Hydrolysate - EWH (1g/kg/day, gavage); d) Mercury and Hydrolysate. Mechanical allodynia was assessed using Von Frey Hairs test; heat hyperalgesia by the plantar test; catalepsy by a modification of the "ring test" and spontaneous locomotor activity by a photocell activity chambers. Analyses were performed at 0, 30 and 60 days of treatment. Brain and plasma MDA, plasma NPSH and TNF-α determination and skin immunohistochemistry were performed at 60 days. Hg induced a reduction in mechanical sensitivity threshold at 30 and 60 days and in thermal sensitivity threshold at 60 days. At the end of treatment catalepsy was developed, but there was not significant alteration in spontaneous locomotor activity. Hg also increased brain and plasma MDA, plasma NPSH and TNF-α levels and the number of Merkel cell-neurite complex in the skin. EWH prevented the development of mechanical allodynia, thermal hyperalgesia and catalepsy induced by Hg and the increase in MDA concentration in brain and plasma and in the number of Merkel cell-neurite complex in the skin. In conclusion, EWH promotes neuroprotection against the toxic effects caused by Hg, demonstrating a beneficial therapeutic potential.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Physiology Laboratory, Universidade Federal do Pampa, BR 472, Km 592, Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
authors.forename: Danize Aparecida
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Rizzetti
authors.affiliation: Bioactivity and Food Analysis Laboratory, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Alimentación, Nicolás Cabrera, 9, Campus Universitario de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Francisca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fernandez
authors.affiliation: Bioactivity and Food Analysis Laboratory, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Alimentación, Nicolás Cabrera, 9, Campus Universitario de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.affiliation: Histology Laboratory, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Antenas s/n, Alcorcón, Spain.
authors.forename: José Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Uranga Ocio
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Physiology Laboratory, Universidade Federal do Pampa, BR 472, Km 592, Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
authors.forename: Franck Maciel
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Peçanha
authors.affiliation: Pharmacology Laboratory, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Antenas s/n, Alcorcón, Spain.
authors.forename: Gema
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vera
authors.affiliation: Cardiac Electromechanical and Vascular Reactivity Laboratory, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Marechal Campos, 1468, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Dalton Valentim
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Vassallo
authors.affiliation: Bioactivity and Food Analysis Laboratory, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Alimentación, Nicolás Cabrera, 9, Campus Universitario de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Marta Miguel
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Castro
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Physiology Laboratory, Universidade Federal do Pampa, BR 472, Km 592, Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Electronic address: giuliawp@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Giulia Alessandra
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Wiggers
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002375:Catalepsy / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004529:Egg White / Q000737:chemistry; D006930:Hyperalgesia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008124:Locomotion / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury / Q000633:toxicity*; D018862:Merkel Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D016501:Neurites / Q000378:metabolism; D000066829:Neuroprotection / Q000187:drug effects*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications*; D011492:Protein Hydrolysates / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D011492:Protein Hydrolysates; D008628:Mercury
keywords: Egg white hydrolysate; Mercury; Motor behavioral disorders; Oxidative stress; Peripheral neuropathy