Aluminum Impairs Rat Neural Cell Mitochondria In Vitro

Abstract

Exposure to aluminum has been reported to lead to neurotoxicity. Mitochondria are important organelles involved in maintaining cell function. This study investigates the effect of aluminum on mitochondria in rat neural cells. The ultrastructure of mitochondria was observed, and the cell death rate (CDR), reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and 3-[4,5demethyl-2-thiazalyl]-2,-5diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) were measured to investigate the effect of aluminum on the mitochondrial structure and its function in neural cells. Results observed from the mitochondrial ultrastructure show that aluminum may impair the mitochondrial membrane and cristae. Increased CDR, enhanced ROS, decreased MMP, and decreased enzyme activity in mitochondria were observed in the AI-exposed neurons (100 -500 ILM). The present study demonstrates that alteration in the mitochondrial structure and function plays an important role in neurotoxic mechanisms induced by aluminum.

Curcumin Attenuates Aluminum-Induced Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Rat Brain

“…(Wallace 1999). In vitro studies have shown changes in the mitochondrial structure and function in aluminum-exposed rat neuronal cells (Niu et al 2005). It seems that the alterations in mitochondrial structure and function may play an important role in elucidating various aspects of aluminum neurotoxicity.…”

Susceptibility of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase to aluminium induced oxidative damage

“…It has also been shown that aluminium exposure is associated with impairment of mitochondrial functions in vitro (Niu et al, 2005) and in vivo (Kumar et al, 2008) and increases the ROS production. On the basis of these results, we examined the effect of chronic aluminium induced oxidative stress on the oxidative damage to mitochondrial proteins in different regions of rat brain and their accumulation/degradation within mitochondria.…”

A Cystine‐Rich Whey Supplement (Immunocal®) Provides Neuroprotection from Diverse Oxidative Stress‐Inducing Agents In Vitro by Preserving Cellular Glutathione

“…Aluminum is a neurotoxic metal that impairs mitochondrial structure and function in neural cells exposed in vitro and in vivo [44, 45]. Aluminum chloride- (AlCl 3 -) induced toxicity in CGNs was characterized by nuclear condensation and marked disruption of the microtubule network; these effects were markedly decreased in CGNs pretreated with Immunocal (Figure 5(a)).…”

“…In general, in vitro exposure of neural cells to aluminum has been shown to result in pronounced alterations in mitochondrial structure and function, leading to marked increases in ROS, reduction of mitochondrial enzyme activity, and cell death [45]. Aluminum also interferes with the activity of NADP-isocitrate at the mitochondria, decreasing the pool of NADPH that is available and necessary for the regeneration of GSH, and thereby decreasing GSH levels [61].…”