Effect of Aluminum on Learning and Memory of Mice / 环境与健康杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the effect of aluminum on learning and memory and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in cerebral tissues. Methods 20 mice weighed 18-21g were randomly divided into two groups, the experimental group treated with AlCl3 at 4 mg daily by gavage for 7 weeks and the control group treated with saline. After the treatment, the ability of learning and memory were evaluated by Y-maze test and step-down test, and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in cerebral tissues was determined. Results In the Y-maze test, the time of up to par in the experimental group (130?13) was significantly more than that in the control(79?7), in the step-down test, the 5 minutes error time in the experimental group(2.5?0.50) was significantly more than that in the control(1.4?0.49), 24 hours retest, the 5 minutes error time in the experimental group(1.3?0.48) was still more than that in the control(0.4?0.29). The activity of SOD in the experimental group[(2.1?0.38)U/mg Pro]showed a significant decrease compared with the control[(3.1?0.21)U/mg Pro]. Conclusion Aluminum can damage learning and memory of mice and can decrease the activity of SOD in the cerebral tissues.