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. 2014 Aug 6;11(8):7918-30.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph110807918.

Effects of Nano-MnO2 on dopaminergic neurons and the spatial learning capability of rats

Tao Li  1 , Tingting Shi  2 , Xiaobo Li  3 , Shuilin Zeng  4 , Lihong Yin  5 , Yuepu Pu  6
Affiliations

Effects of Nano-MnO2 on dopaminergic neurons and the spatial learning capability of rats

Tao Li et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

This study aimed to observe the effect of intracerebrally injected nano-MnO2 on neurobehavior and the functions of dopaminergic neurons and astrocytes. Nano-MnO2, 6-OHDA, and saline (control) were injected in the substantia nigra and the ventral tegmental area of Sprague-Dawley rat brains. The neurobehavior of rats was evaluated by Morris water maze test. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expressions in rat brain were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results showed that the escape latencies of nano-MnO2 treated rat increased significantly compared with control. The number of TH-positive cells decreased, GFAP- and iNOS-positive cells increased significantly in the lesion side of the rat brains compared with the contralateral area in nano-MnO2 group. The same tendencies were observed in nano-MnO2-injected rat brains compared with control. However, in the the positive control, 6-OHDA group, escape latencies increased, TH-positive cell number decreased significantly compared with nano-MnO2 group. The alteration of spatial learning abilities of rats induced by nano-MnO2 may be associated with dopaminergic neuronal dysfunction and astrocyte activation.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
TH immunohistochemical staining of rat midbrain. (A) Damaged side of nano-MnO2 group (40×), Bar = 500 μm; (B) damaged side of nano-MnO2 group (400×), Bar = 50 μm; (C) uninjured side of nano-MnO2 group (400×), Bar = 50 μm; (D) damaged side of 6-OHDA group (40×), Bar = 500 μm; (E) damaged side of 6-OHDA group (400×), Bar = 50 μm; (F) uninjured side of 6-OHDA group (400×), Bar = 50 μm; (G) damaged side of saline group (40×), Bar = 500 μm; H: damaged side of saline group (400×), Bar = 50 μm; and I: uninjured side of saline group (400×), Bar = 50 μm.
Figure 2
Figure 2
GFAP immunohistochemical staining of the hippocampus of rats (400×, Bar = 50 μm). (A) Damaged side, nano-MnO2 group; (B) uninjured side, nano-MnO2 group; (C) damaged side, 6-OHDA group; (D) uninjured side, 6-OHDA group; (E) damaged side, saline group; and (F) uninjured side, saline group.
Figure 3
Figure 3
iNOS immunohistochemical staining of the midbrain of rats (400×, Bar = 50 μm). (A) Damaged side, nano-MnO2 group; (B) uninjured side, nano-MnO2 group; (C) damaged side, 6-OHDA group; (D) uninjured side, 6-OHDA group; (E) damaged side, saline group; and (F) uninjured side, saline group.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Number of immunostained positive cells in both sides of rat brain. (A) TH-positive cells, (B) GFAP-positive cells; and (C) iNOS-positive cells (* p < 0.05 compared with saline injected side, # p < 0.05 compared with 6-OHDA injected side, & p < 0.05 compared with contralateral).
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