Immunohistochemical Investigation of the Activities of Neuron-Specific- Enolase and Motor Coordination in the Cerebellar Cortex of Lead-nitrate Treated Rats.

Damage to the cellular components of the cerebellum, altered motor coordination and ataxia has not been reported as findings in studies addressing lead-induced toxicity in experimental studies. This study aimed at finding out the effects of lead exposure on the cellular profile of the cerebellum and also tests for motor coordination in juvenile male rats. 20 juvenile male rats were randomly assigned into control (A) and lead-exposed (B) groups. The rats in group A were exposed to normal saline, while rats in group B were exposed to 100 mg/kg body weight of lead- nitrate. The duration of exposure was for 30 days. At termination of administration, motor coordination in the lead- induced group was significantly altered when compared with control group, while the histological section showed marked distortion with evidence of necrosis in the morphology of the Purkinje cells in the cerebral profile of the rats in the lead-induced group. The neuronal cells in the cerebral profile of the rats in the control group was well preserved. There was no marked changes in the motor coordination of the rats in the control group.It was observed that exposure to lead conferred neurodegenerative effects on the Purkinje cells in the cerebellum and also alter motor coordination.

Key Words: brain, environment, excavation and mining, excitotoxin, heavy metal, neurons