The use of the herbicide paraquat (1,1'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridylium dichloride; PQ) which is widely used in agriculture is known to cause dopaminergic neurotoxicity. However, the mechanisms underlying this effect are not fully understood. This present study investigated the behavioral manifestations, motor coordination, and dopaminergic neurodegeneration following exposure to PQ. Male rats were injected with PQ (10 mg/kg i.p.) daily for three weeks. Rotarod systems were used for measuring locomotor activity and motor coordination. The effects of PQ on dorsiflexor, electrophysiologically-induced muscle contraction were studied. Dopamine concentrations in the ventral mesencephalon were measured by high performance liquid chromatography and the number of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta was estimated by tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemistry. PQ induced difficulty in movement and significant reduction in motor activity and twitch tension at the dorsiflexor skeletal muscle. The number of tyrosine hydroxylase positive neurons was significantly less in the substantia nigra pars compacta and nigral dopamine level was significantly reduced in PQ treated animals (20.4+/-3.4 pg/mg) when compared with control animals (55.0+/-2.4 pg/mg wet tissue). Daily treatment of PQ for three weeks induces selective dopaminergic neuronal loss in the substantia nigra and significant behavioral and peripheral motor deficit effects.

• MeSH
• ataxie chemicky indukované   patofyziologie   MeSH
• dopamin metabolismus   MeSH
• down regulace účinky léků   MeSH
• herbicidy otrava   MeSH
• kosterní svaly účinky léků   patofyziologie   MeSH
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• nemoci svalů chemicky indukované   patofyziologie   MeSH
• neurotoxiny otrava   MeSH
• paraquat otrava   MeSH
• pohybová aktivita účinky léků   MeSH
• potkani Wistar MeSH
• substantia nigra účinky léků   metabolismus   MeSH
• svalová síla účinky léků   MeSH
• vztah mezi dávkou a účinkem léčiva MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Cadmium (Cd), an environmental and industrial pollutant, poses a potential threat and affects many systems in human and animals. Although several reports on Cd toxicity were presented, the acute effect of Cd on systemic and thrombotic events was not reported so far. Cd (2.284 mg/kg) or saline (control) was injected intraperitoneally (ip), and the systemic parameters were assessed in mice. Compared to control group, acute intraperitoneal injection of Cd, in mice showed significant quickening of platelet aggregation (P<0.001) leading to pial cerebral thrombosis. Likewise, Cd exposure caused a significant increase in white blood cell numbers (P<0.05) indicating the occurrence of systemic inflammation. Also, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (P<0.05) and creatinine (P<0.01) levels were both significantly increased. Interestingly, the superoxide dismutase activity was significantly decreased in Cd treated group compared to control group (P<0.001), suggesting the occurrence of oxidative stress. We conclude that the Cd exposure in mice causes acute thromboembolic events, oxidative stress and alter liver and kidney functions.

• MeSH
• alanintransaminasa metabolismus   MeSH
• inbrední kmeny myší MeSH
• játra metabolismus   účinky léků   MeSH
• kadmium toxicita   MeSH
• kreatinin metabolismus   MeSH
• ledviny metabolismus   účinky léků   MeSH
• myši MeSH
• oxidační stres účinky léků   MeSH
• tromboembolie chemicky indukované   metabolismus   MeSH
• zánět chemicky indukované   metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH