HOMEPRODUCTSCOMPANYCONTACTFAQResearchDictionaryPharmaSign Up FREE or Login

Brain monoaminergic neurotransmission parameters in weanling rats after perinatal exposure to methylmercury and 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB153).

Abstract
The individual and joint effects of methylmercury (MeHg; 1 mg/kg body weight/day, GD7-PND7) and PCB153 (20 mg/kg body weight/day, GD10-GD16), administered orally to rat dams, were explored in 21-day-old rat offspring brain in terms of monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) activity and regional content of dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT), 5-hydroxy-indole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA) and homovanillic acid (HVA). Neither treatment altered MAO-B in striatum, hippocampus, cerebellum and cerebral cortex of female pups. In males the cerebellum displayed a significantly reduced enzyme activity (25-45%) following all treatments. Concerning biogenic amines, 5-HT levels were decreased by 30-50% in the cerebral cortex of males and females by PCB153 alone and combined with MeHg, without changes in 5-HIAA and dopaminergic endpoints. In cerebellum of all pups, MeHg enhanced 5-HIAA levels, whereas PCB153, either alone or combined with MeHg, did not affect this endpoint. In striatum, PCB153 reduced the content of DA, HVA and 5-HIAA (respective control values: 2-3; 60-80; 8-10 ng/mg protein) to a similar extent when administered alone or together with MeHg (20-40%). Perinatal exposure to MeHg and/or PCB153 results in regionally and/or gender-specific alterations in the central dopaminergic and serotonergic systems at weaning. The combined treatment with MeHg and PCB153 does not exacerbate the neurochemical effects of the individual compounds.
AuthorsAnna F Castoldi, Fabio Blandini, Giovanna Randine, Alberta Samuele, Luigi Manzo, Teresa Coccini
JournalBrain research (Brain Res) Vol. 1112 Issue 1 Pg. 91-8 (Sep 27 2006) ISSN: 0006-8993 [Print] Netherlands
PMID16904659 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
Chemical References
  • Methylmercury Compounds
  • Neurotransmitter Agents
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls
  • 2,4,5,2',4',5'-hexachlorobiphenyl
Topics
  • Age Factors
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Brain (drug effects)
  • Brain Chemistry (drug effects)
  • Female
  • Male
  • Methylmercury Compounds (pharmacology)
  • Neurotransmitter Agents (metabolism)
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls (pharmacology)
  • Pregnancy
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!


Choose Username:
Email:
Password:
Verify Password:
Enter Code Shown: