Neuronal toxicity of aluminium chloride and D-galactose: biochemical alteration / Nik Nor Maisarah Nik Romainor

Alzheimer's disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease and causes progressive impairment of memory, declined cognitive functions, massive disruptions in socioeconomic and ultimately lead to death. Until now, there is no cure of Alzheimer's disease. Aluminium and D-galactose are known to cause neurotoxicity. However, the exact mechanism underlying the neurotoxicity caused by Aluminium is not clear. In the present study, both Aluminium chloride and D­ Galactose was evaluated whether the dual toxicity can affect normal pathophysiology of brain by additive and/or synergistic action. This study also served as basis to develop a new animal model for Alzheimer's disease . The biochemical alterations that occurred was assessed by oxidative parameters like lipid peroxidation assay, nitrite assay, reduced glutathione test, superoxide dismutase test and acetylcholinesterase test. The result of the study conducted show that there was significant increase (P < 0.05) in lipid peroxidation, nitrite and acetylcholinesterase activity and decrease in the content of endogenous antioxidant enzyme that were reduced glutathione and superoxide dismutase. Therefore, the results suggested that there is a biochemical alteration that occurred inside the rat brain when Aluminium Chloride and 0-Galactose were concomitantly administered.