RESUMO
The present study aimed to investigating the ameliorative effect of oral administration of grape seed extract to rats versus neurotoxic effects administered with rotenone. Rats were orally administered grape seed extract [GSE] at a dose of 75 mg/kg body weight [wt] once a day for 20 days before oral administration of rotenone [2.5 mg/kg body wt]. Dopamine [DA] and norepinephrine [NE] contents in striatum, cerebellum and cerebral cortex were determined at 40, 55 and 70 days of administration. Also, the striatum Na+/K+-ATPase activities, serum and striatum nitric oxide [NO], lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione [GSH], total antioxidant capacity [TAC], and serum testosterone level were determined. In addition, a histopathological study of striatum was carried out. Our results reveal that rotenone administration for 50 days led to a significant increase in striatum and serum lipid peroxidation and NO levels while, a significant decrease in DA in striatum, NE and DA in cortex occurred. Also, striatum Na+/K+-ATPase activities, serum and striatum GSH, TAC levels and serum testosterone levels were significantly decreased. The treatment with GSE showed a protective effect against rotenone-induced neurotoxicity. It improved most biochemical markers tested as well as histopathological features. It may be possible to use GSE for the prevention of neurotoxicity caused by exposure to pesticide or environmental neurotoxins