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Potentiation of the apoptotic signaling pathway in both the striatum and hippocampus and neurobehavioral impairment in rats exposed chronically to a low−dose of cadmium

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Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic heavy metal. It accumulates in biological tissues, especially in fish which constitutes a first rank food for humans, particularly in the coastal areas. This study investigates the effect of long-term exposure to low Cd concentration (17 μg/kg/day) in rat striatum and hippocampus. In this study, the neurobehavioral ability changes were assessed by applying cognitive standard testing at the end of the rats’ exposure period. In addition, the examination of mitochondrial swelling was performed at the same time of evaluation of its redox status in the brain regions studied through stress parameters (GSH, MDA, GST, and CAT). This study examined also whether this long-term exposure can modify the apoptotic signaling pathway via assessment of apoptotic markers (caspase-8 and 9, Bax, Bcl-2, and Cyt-c) in cell lysates. The results of this study showed changes in neurobehavioral abilities of animals and a stronger mitochondrial swelling associated with a significant decrease in antioxidant systems (GSH, GST, and CAT) and conversely an increase in the lipoperoxidation end product (MDA) in both the striatal and hippocampal mitochondria. In addition, the results revealed a significant increase in pro-apoptotic intracellular components such as caspase-9, Cyt-c, and Bax, and showed also an evident decrease in Bcl-2 levels. In conclusion, our results reported that chronic exposure to Cd produces behavioral and cognitive perturbations, enhances oxidative stress associated with mitochondrial edema and Cyt-c leakage, and, ultimately, potentiates apoptosis signaling pathway in both brain regions in rats.

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Acknowledgments

This study was extracted from the PhD thesis of Ms. Zeyneb Chouit (first author); it was supported by the Ministry of High Education and Scientific Research of Algeria, via the University of Jijel and University of Batna2. This work was done without a specific grant from any funding agency (public or private).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of cellular and molecular biology, University of Mohamed Seddik Ben Yahia, Jijel, Algeria

    Zeyneb Chouit, Zhoura Lakroun & Mohamed Kebieche

  2. Faculty of natural and life sciences, LBMBPC, University of Batna 2, Route de Constantine, 05078, Fesdis, Batna, Algeria

    Dounia Djellal, Mourad Hanfer, Messaoud Hachemi, Smail Chafaa & Mohamed Kebieche

  3. Faculty of natural and life sciences, University of Abderrahmane Mira, Bejaia, Algeria

    Souhila Haddad

  4. Toxicology-Microbiology and Environmental Health Unit (UR11ES70), University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia

    Hamadi Fetoui

  5. LCOMS/Neurotoxicologie et Bioactivité, Campus Bridoux, Université de Lorraine, 57070, Metz, France

    Rachid Soulimani

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  1. Zeyneb Chouit
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  2. Dounia Djellal
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Correspondence to Mohamed Kebieche.

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All animal experiments in the current study are approved by PIA under the ethical code: N° Batna-Univ2.2020.231.

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Chouit, Z., Djellal, D., Haddad, S. et al. Potentiation of the apoptotic signaling pathway in both the striatum and hippocampus and neurobehavioral impairment in rats exposed chronically to a low−dose of cadmium. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28, 3307–3317 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-10755-7

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