Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology
Author: Nicolas Alejandro Sisterna | Email: NSisterna@proton.me
Nicolas Sisterna 1°, Maria Elena Arce 1°, Gabriel Boldrini 1°, Silvina Alvarez 1°
1° FQByF, Universidad Nacional de San Luis IMIBIO-SL CONICET
Several studies have investigated the association between heavy metals, such as Cadmium (Cd), and neurological diseases, including Parkinsons disease. Cadmium is known to induce oxidative stress, neuronal apoptosis and damage to the neural pathways. We studied its toxic effects in the Substantia nigra. Two groups of Wistar rats were used; the control group received regular water, and the other group consumed drinking water with 15ppm of Cd for 60 days. Cryostat midbrain sections (15 µm thick) were stained with Nissl and Hoescht 33342 using standard histological procedures. The histological examination of the brain sections showed changes in the normal structure in the Cd-intoxicated rats. We observed an increase in apoptotic cells with irregular shapes and darkly stained and condensed nuclei.
Cadmium may be recognized as an environmental factor involved in the etiopathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, however further studies are necessary to elucidate the specific mechanisms of Cd-induced neurotoxicity.