Effects of Vitamin E against Aluminum Neurotoxicity in Rats

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V. S. Nedzvetsky¹, M. Tuzcu², A. Yasar³, A. A. Tikhomirov¹, and G. Baydas^3*

¹Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, Dnepropetrovsk National University, ul. Nauki 13, 49050 Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine; E-mail: nedzvetskyvictor@ukr.net

²Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Firat University, Elazig 23119, Turkey; E-mail: mtuzcu@firat.edu.tr

³Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Firat University, Elazig 23119, Turkey; fax: +90-24-37-9138; E-mail: ayasar@firat.edu.tr; baydas@hotmail.com; gbaydas@firat.edu.tr

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received June 3, 2005; Revision received September 30, 2005

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The present study examined the protective effects of vitamin E against aluminum-induced neurotoxicity in rats. Wistar rats were given daily aluminum via their drinking water containing 1600 mg/liter aluminum chloride for six weeks. Aluminum induced a significant increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO) in hippocampus and frontal cortex. Furthermore, aluminum caused marked elevation in the levels of the glial markers (glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and S100B) and proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha and IL-1beta) in both brain areas. Vitamin E treatment reduced the contents of glial markers and cytokines and the levels of LPO. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that vitamin E ameliorates glial activation and reduces release of proinflammatory cytokines induced by aluminum.

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KEY WORDS: aluminum, vitamin E, glial fibrillary acidic protein, S100B protein, lipid peroxidation, glutathione

DOI: 10.1134/S0006297906030023

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