Developmental neurotoxicity of cadmium on enzyme activities of crucial offspring rat brain regions

Stolakis, V., Tsakiris, S., Kalafatakis, K., Zarros, A. , Skandali, N., Gkanti, V., Kyriakaki, A. and Liapi, C. (2013) Developmental neurotoxicity of cadmium on enzyme activities of crucial offspring rat brain regions. BioMetals, 26(6), pp. 1013-1021. (doi: 10.1007/s10534-013-9678-3) (PMID:24065572)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental contaminant known to exert significant neurotoxic effects on both humans and experimental animals. The aim of this study was to shed more light on the effects of gestational (in utero) and lactational maternal exposure to Cd (50 ppm of Cd as Cd-chloride in the drinking water) on crucial brain enzyme activities in important rat offspring brain regions (frontal cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus, pons and cerebellum). Our study provides a brain region-specific view of the changes in the activities of three crucial brain enzymes as a result of the developmental neurotoxicity of Cd. Maternal exposure to Cd during both gestation and lactation results into significant changes in the activities of acetylcholinesterase and Na(+),K(+)-ATPase in the frontal cortex and the cerebellum of the offspring rats, as well as in a significant increase in the hippocampal Mg(2+)-ATPase activity. These brain-region-specific findings underline the need for further research in the field of Cd-induced developmental neurotoxicity. Deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying the neurodevelopmental deficits taking place due to in utero and early age exposure to Cd could shed more light on the causes of its well-established cognitive implications.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Zarros, Dr Apostolos
Authors: Stolakis, V., Tsakiris, S., Kalafatakis, K., Zarros, A., Skandali, N., Gkanti, V., Kyriakaki, A., and Liapi, C.
Subjects:R Medicine > RB Pathology
R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC0321 Neuroscience. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences
Journal Name:BioMetals
Publisher:Springer
ISSN:0966-0844
ISSN (Online):1572-8773
Published Online:25 September 2013

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record