Flaxseed oil as a neuroprotective agent on lead acetate-induced monoamineric alterations and neurotoxicity in rats

Biol Trace Elem Res. 2012 Sep;148(3):363-70. doi: 10.1007/s12011-012-9370-4. Epub 2012 Mar 7.

Abstract

Lead remains a considerable occupational and public health problem, which is known to cause a number of adverse effects in both man and animals. Here, the neuroprotective effect of flaxseed oil (1,000 mg/kg) on lead acetate (20 mg/kg) induced alternation in monoamines and brain oxidative stress was examined in rats. The levels of lead, dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), serotonin (5-HT), lipid peroxidation, nitrite/nitrate (NO), and glutathione (GSH) were determined; also, the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase were estimated on different brain regions of adult male albino rats. The level of lead was markedly elevated in different brain regions of rats. This leads to enhancement of lipid peroxidation and NO production in brain with concomitant reduction in AChE activity and GSH level. In addition, the levels of DA, NE, and 5-HT were decreased in the brain. These findings were associated with BAX over expression. Treatment of rats with flaxseed oil induced a marked improvement in most of the studied parameters as well as the immunohistochemistry features. These data indicated that dietary flaxseed oil provide protection against lead-induced oxidative stress and neurotoxic effects.

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholinesterase / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Dopamine / metabolism
  • Glutathione / metabolism
  • Linseed Oil / therapeutic use*
  • Lipid Peroxidation / drug effects
  • Male
  • Neuroprotective Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Neurotoxicity Syndromes / drug therapy
  • Norepinephrine / metabolism
  • Organometallic Compounds / toxicity*
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Serotonin / metabolism

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Organometallic Compounds
  • Serotonin
  • Linseed Oil
  • Acetylcholinesterase
  • Glutathione
  • lead acetate
  • Dopamine
  • Norepinephrine