Evaluation of the Effects of Chronic Intoxication with Inorganic Mercury on Memory and Motor Control in Rats

Francisco B. Teixeira, Rafael M. Fernandes, Paulo M. A. Farias-Junior, Natacha M. M. Costa, Luanna M. P. Fernandes, Luana N. S. Santana, Ademir F. Silva-Junior, Marcia C. F. Silva, Cristiane S. F. Maia and Rafael R. Lima
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Francisco B. Teixeira: Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, 66075-900 Belém-Pará, Brazil
Rafael M. Fernandes: Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, 66075-900 Belém-Pará, Brazil
Paulo M. A. Farias-Junior: Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, 66075-900 Belém-Pará, Brazil
Natacha M. M. Costa: Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, 66075-900 Belém-Pará, Brazil
Luanna M. P. Fernandes: Laboratory Pharmacology of Inflammation and Behavior, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Pará, 66075-900 Belém-Pará, Brazil
Luana N. S. Santana: Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, 66075-900 Belém-Pará, Brazil
Ademir F. Silva-Junior: Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, 66075-900 Belém-Pará, Brazil
Marcia C. F. Silva: Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, 66075-900 Belém-Pará, Brazil
Cristiane S. F. Maia: Laboratory Pharmacology of Inflammation and Behavior, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Pará, 66075-900 Belém-Pará, Brazil
Rafael R. Lima: Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, 66075-900 Belém-Pará, Brazil

IJERPH, 2014, vol. 11, issue 9, 1-15

Abstract: The aims of this study were to evaluate whether chronic intoxication with mercury chloride (HgCl 2 ), in a low concentration over a long time, can be deposited in the central nervous tissue and to determine if this exposure induces motor and cognitive impairments. Twenty animals were intoxicated for 45 days at a dose of 0.375 mg/kg/day. After this period, the animals underwent a battery of behavioral tests, in a sequence of open field, social recognition, elevated T maze and rotarod tests. They were then sacrificed, their brains collected and the motor cortex and hippocampus dissected for quantification of mercury deposited. This study demonstrates that long-term chronic HgCl 2 intoxication in rats promotes functional damage. Exposure to HgCl 2 induced anxiety-related responses, short- and long-term memory impairments and motor deficits. Additionally, HgCl 2 accumulated in both the hippocampus and cortex of the brain with a higher affinity for the cortex.

Keywords: mercury; mercury chloride; toxicology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
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