ABSTRACT
Objective To study the effects of germanium oxide on cadmium chloride-induced change of acetylcholinesterase(AchE) activity and contents of catecholamine neurotransmitters in the brains of adult mice. Methods Sixty-four Kunming mice were divided randomly into 8 groups, cadminum groups alternatively exposured to cadminum at 0.3, 0.6, 1.2 mg/kg and same volume of physiological saline through intraperitoneal injection once every two days, cadminum + germanium groups were given germanium oxide at 25 mg/kg besides cadminum once every two days, the other two were germanium and physiological saline groups. All groups were injected for 20 d, then germanium oxide group mice were additional injected total 5 times once every two days .Alkaline hydroxylamine method was used in determining activity of AchE, flourimetric method was used in determining contents of NE, DA, 5-HT. Results The activities of AchE were significantly decreased in the cadmium-treated group, which could be antagonized by germanium oxide at 25 mg/kg. The levels of norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin were decreased significantly in the cadmium-treated mice, and this decreases were also antagonized by germanium oxide. Conclusion These data suggest that the germanium oxide antagonize the cadmium chloride-induced changes in neurobiochemical parameters.