Affiliation:
1. Department of Anatomy, Neuroendocrinology Unit, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
Abstract
Background:
Cadmium (Cd) and bisphenol A (BPA) are known industrial additives and environmental toxicants that have been extensively reported for their various deleterious effects on biological systems, particularly endocrine disruption and neurotoxicity. In high-fat diet-induced insulin-resistant model rats, we studied the neurotoxicity and oxidative stress effects of co-exposure to Cd and BPA.
Aims:
This study aims to look at prefrontal microarchitecture and antioxidant profiles in insulin-resistant rats.
Materials and Methods:
Twenty-five adult Wistar rats were randomly assigned into five groups (A– E; n = 5). With A receiving normal saline; B: 40 mg/kg. bw CdCl2 + high-fat diet (HFD) + Suc; C: 40 mg/kg. bw BPA + HFD + Suc; D: 40 mg/kg. bw BPA + 40 mg/kg. bw CdCl2 + HFD + Suc; and E: HFD + Suc orally for 56 days. Finally, brains were excised from each group and the medial prefrontal cortex was dissected from both hemispheres with right hemisphere samples processed for hematoxylin and eosin histology and left hemisphere samples homogenized for biochemical evaluation of oxidative stress markers. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s post hoc test were used for data analysis with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results:
From our findings, prefrontal glutathione levels were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the insulin-resistant rats (Cd + BPA + HFD + Suc: 120.9 ± 21.89, HFD + Suc: 93.27 ± 17.29) compared with control rats (244.0 ± 11.57), while prefrontal glutathione reductase activity was significantly elevated (Cd + BPA + HFD + Suc: 41.02 ± 5.5, HFD + Suc: 41.09 ± 1.68, P < 0.05) compared to the control rats (20.17 ± 3.27). Prefrontal neurons showed nuclear condensation, cytoplasmic vacuolations, and clumping of cells.
Conclusion:
Morphological and biochemical evidence from the present study suggests that environmental and metabolic factors do combine to induce profound adverse effects on prefrontal microanatomy and antioxidant system.