Protective effect of maifanite against cadmium-induced oxidative stress to rats hippocampus by regulating the balance and metabolism of metals

Abstract

In this paper, the author reported the effect of maifanite on the learning and memory of rats suffering Cd poisoning by step-down and step-through test, analyzed the content of MDA, MT, SOD, and GSH-Px in the hippocampus of rats respectively, and assayed the content of Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Se, and Cd in the hippocampus of rats. In the step-down test, it is found that maifanite can reduce the number of electric shock, pro long step-down latency, and cut down error times when rats are exposed to Cd 24 h. In the step- through test, maifanite can obviously prolong the latency of entering the dark cabin of rats suffering Cd poisoning. The exogenous Cd can lead to the decrease of SOD and GSH-Px activity and the increase of MDA and MT content. The alternation of maifanite and Cd by the gavage can significantly increase the SOD and GSH-Px activity as well as MT content, while lessening the MDA con tent. The accumulation of exogenous Cd in hippocampus causes the increase of Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cd content, and the decrease of Cu and Se content. The intake of maifanite can re gulate the imbalance of metals content and make its content near to the of level control group. The research shows that maifanite can improve the ability of learning and memory of rats suffering Cd poisoning, increase MT formation and lower hyperoxidative damage. Maifanite has the function of balancing the content of trace elements in rats suffering Cd poisoning, and meanwhile can alleviate the toxicity of Cd effectively.