Chronic copper exposure leads to hippocampus oxidative stress and impaired learning and memory in male and female rats.
Mouloud LamtaiOussama ZghariSihame OuakkiIlias MarmouziAbdelhalem MesfiouiAboubaker El HessniAli OuichouPublished in: Toxicological research (2020)
Environmental and occupational exposures to copper (Cu) play a pivotal role in the etiology of some neurological diseases and reduced cognitive functions. However, the precise mechanisms of its effects on cognitive function have not been yet thoroughly established. In our study, we aimed to investigate the behavior and neurochemical alterations in hippocampus of male and female rats, chronically exposed to copper chloride (CuCl2) and the possible involvement of oxidative stress. Twenty-four rats, for each gender, were divided into control and three test groups (n = 6), and were injected intraperitoneally with saline (0.9% NaCl) or CuCl2 (0.25 mg/kg, 0.5 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg) for 8 weeks. After the treatment period, Y-maze test was used for the evaluation of spatial working memory and the Morris Water Maze (MWM) to test the spatial learning and memory. Biochemical determination of oxidative stress levels in hippocampus was performed. The main results of the present work are working memory impairment in spatial Y-maze which induced by higher Cu intake (1 mg/kg) in male and female rats. Also, In the MWM test, the spatial learning and memory were significantly impaired in rats treated with Cu at dose of 1 mg/kg. Additionally, markers of oxidative stress such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, lipid peroxidation products and nitric oxide levels were significantly altered following Cu treatments. These data propose that compromised behavior following Cu exposure is associated with increase in oxidative stress.
Keyphrases
- oxidative stress
- working memory
- nitric oxide
- dna damage
- diabetic rats
- ischemia reperfusion injury
- transcranial direct current stimulation
- induced apoptosis
- aqueous solution
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- hydrogen peroxide
- cerebral ischemia
- cognitive impairment
- mental health
- air pollution
- physical activity
- mass spectrometry
- climate change
- blood brain barrier
- high resolution
- electronic health record
- body mass index
- deep learning
- smoking cessation
- preterm birth
- heat stress