Protective effects of copper against aluminum toxicity on acetylcholinesterase and catecholamine contents of different regions of rat's brain.

TOXICOLOGY of aluminum; CATECHOLAMINES; ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE regulation; BRAIN physiology; PHYSIOLOGICAL effects of copper; INTRAPERITONEAL injections; LABORATORY rats

The probable protective effects of copper on the acetylcholinesterase activity and the catecholamine levels in cerebellum, cortex and mid-brain of rat, which was intoxicated by aluminum, were studied during short and long terms. In this respect, male Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g were received daily intraperitoneal doses of aluminum, copper and also combined doses of both metals for 15 days (Al 10 mg kg BW and Cu 1 mg kg BW), 30 days (Al 5 mg kg BW and Cu 0.5 mg kg BW) and 60 days (Al 1 mg kg BW and Cu 0.1 mg kg BW), respectively. The results obtained from the short period of exposure (15 days) showed that aluminum produced significant ( P < 0.05) decreases in the acetylcholinesterase activity by 24.14, 23.30 and 25.81 %. Similarly, the catecholamine levels were reduced by 10.69, 12.25 and 12.64 % in cerebellum, cortex and mid-brain, respectively. Treatment with copper increases both acetylcholinesterase activity and catecholamine contents of cerebellum, cortex and mid-brain. Simultaneous injection of copper and aluminum increased both acetylcholinesterase activity and catecholamine contents in all three parts of rat brain when compared to aluminum-treated group. Same results were also observed following 30 and 60 days of exposures. In overall, it has been found that copper may have a protective-like ability to hinder aluminum toxicity in the brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]