Dendritic processes as targets for arsenic induced neurotoxicity: Protective role of curcumin

Abstract

IntroductionMicrotubule associated protein2 (MAP2) plays a vital role in morphological stabilization and plasticity of the neuronal dendritic processes. Any alteration in the expression of this protein following exposure to environmental contaminants such as arsenic (iAs) could induce functional deficits in neurons. In India, over 1.5 million people are exposed to iAs with over 200,000 reported cases of arsenicosis. Oxidative stress has been identified as one of the key factors underlying iAs induced toxicity. Hence, the need of the hour is to identify cost effective and safe therapeutic approaches for combating iAs induced adverse effects. The present study aimed at determining the ameliorative potential of Curcumin (Cur) supplementation on dendritic profile of cerebellar Purkinje cells in rats subjected to iAs exposure during postnatal period. MethodsMother reared rats were divided into control and experimental groups (receiving NaAsO2 alone or along with Cur by intraperitoneal route from postnatal day (PND) 1–21. Cerebellar tissue obtained from perfusion fixed animals was processed for Cresyl Violet staining and immunohistochemical localization of MAP2. ResultsAn overall decrease in molecular layer thickness (MLT) of cerebellar cortex along with disrupted morphology of Purkinje dendritic processes was evident in iAs alone treated animals as compared to controls and Cur co-treated animals. Also, decrease in MAP2 immunostained area (%) was noted in the ML of iAs alone treated animals. DiscussionPreliminary observations suggest modulating effect of Cur on MAP2 expression and dendritic morphology of cerebellar Purkinje cells in rats following NaAsO2 exposure.