RESUMO
The short and long term effects of chromium toxicity on brain catecholamines and acetylcholinesterase levels were investigated. Rats were injected daily with varying amounts of chromium. The short term [2 h] administration of chromium [8 mmol/kg] reduced catecholamines level of cerebellum, mid-brain and brain-cortex by 22.8, 19.4 and 21.2% respectively. Acetylcholinesterase activity was also reduced by 36.1, 29.0 and 26.7%. Administration of 38 micro mol/kg chromium for 15, to 60 days, reduced catecholamine levels of cerebellum [8.3-32.8%], midbrain [4.5-20.3%] and brain cortex [6.1-21.3%] respectively. Acetylcholinesterase activity of cerebellum, mid-brain and brain cortex was reduced by 9.4-27.1, 6.8-22.6 and 7.2-24.9 percent respectively. It might be concluded that brain disturbances in chromium treated rat occurred through the reduction in catecholamines and acetylcholinesterase levels