Neurobehavioral deficits, histoarchitectural alterations, parvalbumin neuronal damage and glial activation in the brain of male Wistar rat exposed Landfill leachate

Abstract

Abstract Concerns about inappropriate disposal of waste into unsanitary municipal solid waste landfills around the world has been on the increase; and this pose a public health challenge due to leachate production. The neurotoxic effect of Gwagwalada landfill leachate (GLL) was investigated in male adult Wistar rats. Rats were exposed to 10% concentration of GLL for 21days. Control group received tap water for same period of experiment. Our results showed that neurobehavior, absolute body and brain weights and brain histomorphology as well as parvalbumin interneurons were severely altered, with consequent astrogliosis and microgliosis after 21 days of administrating GLL. Specifically, there was severe loss and shrinkage of purkinje cells, with their nucleus, and severe diffused vacuolations of the white matter tract of GLL exposed rat brains. There was severe cell loss in the granular layer of the cerebellum resulting to reduced thickness of the layer. Also. there was severe loss of dendritic arborization of the purkinje cells in GLL exposed rat brains, and damage as well of reduced populations of parvalbumin-containing fast-spiking GABAminergic interneurons in various regions of the brain. In conclusion, data from the present study demonstrated the detrimental effects of Gwagwalada landfill leachate on the brain which may be implicated in neuropsychological conditions.