Lead contamination induces neurodegeneration in prefrontal cortex of Wistar rats

Abstract

Neurological impairments are fast becoming common global causes of disabilities. [1] Maulik et al. [2] observed that prevalence of mental disabilities is higher in developing countries compared to those in developed countries. Environmental factors, such as environmental pollution, can influence the prevalence of these mental disabilities. [2] Poor health quality and high contamination level of heavy metals in developing countries may also contribute to these prevalence rates. [3] In recent times, the continual heavy metal contamination in waterways has been a global issue due to its persistence and resultant toxicity. [4,5] Poor waste management and disposal, especially electronic waste (e-waste) disposal and recycling in developing countries were reported to enhance the elevated levels of heavy metal contamination in these regions. [3,6-8] E-waste is defined as used electronics intended for reuse, resale, salvage, recycling, or disposal. [9] Osibanjo and Nnorom [10] reported that electronic waste devices are usually stored for a while for a perceived value-physical or emotional-before disposal with municipal waste in Nigeria. Because of the absence of a special framework for the separate collection and management of e-waste in Nigeria, these devices are disposed with Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) at open dumpsites and/or into waterways. [9-12] Informal disassembling and recycling of e-waste in backyards was also reported in Nigeria where primitive

Curcumin alleviates Arsenic trioxide-induced behavioural impairment, oxidative damage & morphological alterations in striatal region of mice brain

“…In the present study, increased levels of MDA as well as decrease in antioxidant levels (GSH & GPx) was observed in basal ganglia of As2O3 alone treated groups compared to the controls, and the level of increase was more pronounced with higher dosages of As2O3 (4 & 8 mg/kg bw). These findings agree with the observations of previous studies pertaining to heavy metal toxicity [79] and use of As2O3 as a potent chemotherapeutic agent [80]. Increase in MDA level is also associated to decreased activity of antioxidant enzymes like catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) [49,77], which normally reduces H2O2 into water and nascent oxygen (O).…”