Effects of Lanthanum on Excitatory Amino Acids and Calcium Homeostasis of Cerebral Cortex in Rats / 环境与健康杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the effects of lanthanum on learning and memory,and explore the corresponding mechanism on the basis of the levels of excitatory amino acids and calcium homeostasis of cerebral cortex in rats.Methods Forty female Wistar rats were randomly divided into control,low-,moderate-and high-dose lanthanum groups(ten rats in each group).The offspring of lanthanum exposure groups were administrated with lanthanum from weaning for one month.The capability of learning and memory was measured by neuroethology testing.The levels of excitatory amino acids,intracellular calcium ion and Nissl body expression of cerebral cortex were also detected.Results The capabilities of learning and memory in lanthanum exposure groups were significantly lower compared with the control,with a dose-dependent manner.The levels of glutamate and intracellular calcium ion of cerebral cortex in low-and moderate-dose group were significantly higher than those in controls,and the levels of glutamate,aspartate and intracellular calcium ion of cerebral cortex in high-dose group were increased significantly as compared with the control group,low dose group and moderate dose lanthanum group.Besides,Nissl body expression of cerebral cortex in low-dose group was lower than that in control group,and the levels of Nissl body expression of cerebral cortex in middle dose lanthanum group and high dose groups decreased further.Conclusion The increased levels of excitatory amino acids,calcium homeostasis unbalance and cellular injuries in cerebral cortex may be involved in lower capacity of learning and memory in the rats exposed to lanthanum.