Alteration in Thyroid Hormones and Vitamins As Early Markers of Aluminum Induced Neurodegeneration in Rats

Aluminum (Al) is a potent neurotoxic element, which has been suggested to play an important role in the degeneration of nerve cells of experimental animals as well as human brain. It is associated with Alzheimer’s like symptoms leading to cognitive decline. In the present study we attempt to investigate the early markers of aluminum induced neurodegeneration in rats. The effects of Al on thyroid function and vitamins were evaluated in adult wistar rats and its correlates with the Al induced cognitive dysfunction. 100 mg /kg body weight of AlCl3 was given orally to rats for 90 days. Time dependent study was carried out on the 30, 60 and 90 days of treatment. The T3, T4, FT4 and Vitamins A, C, E was estimated on 30, 60 and 90 days along with behavioral test. We observed that serum concentration of total T3 and T4 was decreased and FT4 was insignificant changed while vitamins C and E were markedly changed on 60 and 90 days of treatment. It has been observed that theconcentration of T3 and T4 levels and vitamin E and C is significantly correlates with the behavioral activity. On the basis of results it may conclude that the concentration of T3, T4, Vitamin E and Vitamin C may be used as a marker of cognitive decline for the detection of aluminum induced neurobehavioral changes.