Does selenium ameliorate toxic effects of prenatal aluminium on brain of full term rat fetuses?

Abstract

Aluminum (Al) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of dialysis dementia and Alzheimer's diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the protective effect of selenium on fetal parietal cortex treated with aluminum chloride. Eighty pregnant rats were divided into two groups (Control and Aluminium). Aluminium treated group was given oral AlCl3 (150 mg kg-1 body weight/day) for 3 months before mating. Pregnant rats were randomly divided in to four groups (20 dams in each), control, Al-treated, control + Selenium (200 jag/kg/day) and Al + Selenium. Al and Selenium was administered through intragastric tube from GDI to GD20. All growth parameters significantly reduced in all Al-treated groups. A1C13 induced increase thickness of pia matter and increase glia fibers in the molecular layer, disruption, shrinkage and degeneration of neurons in all cortical layers. Parietal cortex in fetuses treated with selenium and A1C13 had nearly control appearance. Also, A1C13 induced significant reduction of layer I and the total thickness of parietal cortex. Selenium when added to A1C13 significantly reduced all harmful effect of A1C13 on fetal growth parameters, histopathological changes and increased thickness of layer I of parietal cortex in rat fetuses when compared with control. It is concluded that oral A1C13 had deleterious effects on cerebral cortex of rat fetuses whereas selenium alleviated these negative effects. © Medwell Journals, 2012.