Neuroprotective Effects of Kolaviron on the Hippocampus of Foetal Wistar Rats Induced with Aluminium Chloride In-utero

Exposure to toxicants in-utero could lead to teratogenic malformation including neurodegeneration. Aluminium, a neurotoxin causes the release of free radicals which results in disrupted homeostasis however, its mechanism of action is not fully established. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of kolaviron on the hippocampus of foetal Wistar rats exposed to aluminium chloride In-utero. Fifty (50) female rats were introduced to twenty-five (25) male rats for mating in a ratio of 3:2 once their estrus phase was confirmed through vaginal smear. Female rats were assigned into five (5) members per group once mating was confirmed following presence of sperm cells through vaginal smear the day after male introduction into the female's compartments. They were administered the following: Group A: distilled water, Group B: 0.6 mls of corn oil, Group C: 200mg/kg BW of kolaviron, Group D: 100mg/kg BW of AlCl and Group E: 100mg/kg BW of AlCl + 200mg/kg BW of kolaviron. Administration was 3 3 done orally with the use of an oral cannula during the 2nd and 3rd week of gestation on days 8- 10 and days 15- 18 respectively. Animal sacrifice was carried out on day 20 of gestation and feotuses were carefully removed. Both body and brain weights of the fetuses were evaluated. Foetal hippocampii were further excised from the brains and homogenized in 0.25 M of sucrose solution for biochemical analysis. There was a reduction in both body and brain weights of the fetuses whose mothers received AlCl in both 2nd and 3rd weeks of gestation when compared to those 3 treated with AlCl kolaviron respectively. Significant increase in glucose metabolism through increase in G-6-PDH 3 + levels in the hippocampus of rats in group E was observed when compared to those in group D. Expression of cyt-c was found to be significantly reduced in the hippocampus of foetal rats in group D when compared to those in group E. This study concluded that contact with AlClç during the 2nd and 3rd weeks of gestation affected neurodevelopment. The intervention of kolaviron minimized AlClç-induced toxicity in foetal hippocampus by boosting antioxidative status. Hence this study recommends that kolaviron could be considered as an agent in targeting Al-induced neurodegeneration.

Key Words: kolaviron, aluminium chloride, foetus, hippocampus, glucose metabolism