Aluminium oxide nanoparticles compromise spatial learning and memory performance in rats

Authors

  • Imen M'rad Laboratoire de Physiologie Intégrée, Faculté des Sciences de Bizerte, Université de Carthage, Tunisie
  • Mustapha Jeljeli Institut Supérieur des Sciences Humaines de Tunis, Université El Manar, Tunisie
  • Naima Rihane Laboratoire de Physiologie Intégrée, Faculté des Sciences de Bizerte, Université de Carthage, Tunisie
  • Pascal Hilber Centre de recherche sur les fonctionnements et dysfonctionnements psychologiques CRFDP EA 7475, Université de Rouen Normandie, France
  • Mohsen Sakly Laboratoire de Physiologie Intégrée, Faculté des Sciences de Bizerte, Université de Carthage, Tunisie
  • Salem Amara College of Education Afif, Ministry of Education Shaqra University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2017-1050

Keywords:

aluminium oxide nanoparticle, hippocampus, oxidative response, spatial memory

Abstract

Recently, the biosafety and potential influences of nanoparticles on central nervous system have received more attention. In the present study, we assessed the effect of aluminium oxide nanoparticles (Al2O3-NPs) on spatial cognition. Male Wistar rats were intravenously administered Al2O3-NP suspension (20 mg/kg body weight/day) for four consecutive days, after which they were assessed. The results indicated that Al2O3-NPs impaired spatial learning and memory ability. An increment in malondialdehyde levels with a concomitant decrease in superoxide dismutase activity confirmed the induction of oxidative stress in the hippocampus. Additionally, our findings showed that exposure to Al2O3-NPs resulted in decreased acetylcholinesterase activity in the hippocampus. Furthermore, Al2O3-NPs enhanced aluminium (Al) accumulation and disrupted mineral element homoeostasis in the hippocampus. However, they did not change the morphology of the hippocampus. Our results show a connection among oxidative stress, disruption of mineral element homoeostasis, and Al accumulation in the hippocampus, which leads to spatial memory deficit in rats treated with Al2O3-NPs.

Published

2018-02-14

How to Cite

M’rad, I., Jeljeli, M., Rihane, N., Hilber, P., Sakly, M., & Amara, S. (2018). Aluminium oxide nanoparticles compromise spatial learning and memory performance in rats. EXCLI Journal, 17, 200–210. https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2017-1050

Issue

Section

Original articles

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