Abstract
Lanthanum could cause cognitive impairment in children and rodent animals. The normal blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity is essential for protecting the brain from systemic toxins and maintaining the homeostasis for proper neuronal function. BBB dysfunction has been implicated as a potential mechanism of heavy metal-induced neurotoxicity. The present study was aimed to investigate effects of lanthanum on BBB integrity and endothelial junctional complexes in the cerebral cortex of young rats. Animals were exposed to lanthanum chloride (LaCl3) through drinking water under 0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0% concentrations from postnatal day 0 until 30days after weaning. LaCl3-exposure increased BBB permeability, caused ultrastructure changes in cerebral capillaries, and reduced protein expression of claudin-5, occludin, and VE-cadherin. Due to the critical role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in BBB integrity, we further examined alterations in MMPs activity and expression. Enhanced gelatinase activity and upregulated MMP-9 expression were observed after LaCl3-exposure, concurrently with decreased expression of endogenous inhibitor tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1. Taken together, this study demonstrated that postnatal lanthanum exposure caused leakage of BBB in young rats, partially attributed to upregulation of MMP-9 and reduction of junctional proteins expression.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
