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Effect of Grape Seed Proanthocyanidin Extracts on Methylmercury-Induced Neurotoxicity in Rats

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Abstract

As a highly toxic environmental pollutant, methylmercury (MeHg) can cause neurotoxicity in animals and humans. Considering the antioxidant property of grape seed proanthocyanidin extracts (GSPE), this study was aimed to evaluate the effect of GSPE on MeHg-induced neurotoxicity in rats. Rats were exposed to MeHg by intraperitoneal injection (4, 12 μmol/kg, respectively) and GSPE was administered by gavage (250 mg/kg) 2 h later. After a 4-week treatment, phosphate-activated glutaminase, glutamine synthetase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities, glutamate, glutamine, malondialdehyde and glutathione contents in cerebral cortex were measured. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis were also estimated in cells. The results showed that the MeHg-induced neurotoxicity was significantly attenuated. GSPE significantly decreased the production of ROS, counteracted oxidative damage and increased the antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes activities in rats prior to MeHg exposure. Moreover, the effects on the rate of apoptotic cells and the disturbance of glutamate homeostasis were correspondingly modulated. These observations highlighted the potential of GSPE in offering protection against MeHg-induced neurotoxicity.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported financially by the grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81172631). The authors thank Chunwei Lu from the Department of Public Health in China Medical University for his technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China

    Haibo Yang, Zhaofa Xu, Wei Liu, Yangang Wei, Yu Deng & Bin Xu

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  1. Haibo Yang
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  2. Zhaofa Xu
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  3. Wei Liu
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  4. Yangang Wei
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  5. Yu Deng
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  6. Bin Xu
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Correspondence to Zhaofa Xu.

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Yang, H., Xu, Z., Liu, W. et al. Effect of Grape Seed Proanthocyanidin Extracts on Methylmercury-Induced Neurotoxicity in Rats. Biol Trace Elem Res 147, 156–164 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-011-9272-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-011-9272-x

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