Volume 59 (2009) Issue: 2009 No#2-3

Effect of L-NAME on AlCl3-induced toxicity in rat brain

Author(s): Stevanović Ivana, Jovanović Marina, Jelenković Ankica, Bokonjić D, Čolić M, Stojanović Ivana, Ninković Milica

Keywords:acetylcholine esterase, aluminium, behavior, L-NAME, nitric oxide

The present experiment was carried out to determine the effectiveness of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor (L-NAME) in elevating the toxicity of AlCl3 on nitrite concentration and acetylcholine esterase activity of Wistar rats. Animals were killed 10 min and 3 days after the treatment and the forebrain cortex and striatum were removed. The results show that AlCl3 exposure promotes oxidative stress in different neural areas. The biochemical changes observed in neuronal tissues show that aluminium acts as a pro-oxidant, while NOS inhibitor exerts as antioxidant action in AlCl3-treated animals. In the present study, active avoidance learning was significantly impaired after AlCl3 injection, while pretreatment with L-NAME prevented the behavioural deficits caused between the 8th and 12th day after intrahippocampal application of neurotoxin. Our data suggest that aluminium may cause learning and memory deficits, while the treatment with L-NAME may decrease the oxidative stress and prevent learning and memory deficits caused by AlCl3.