Effect of chronic aluminium exposure on cognitive function and its relationship with β-APP

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of chronic aluminium exposure on cognitive ability in mice and the relationship with the expressions ofβ-amyloid precursor protein(β-APP)andβ-amyloid protein(β-AP).MethodsAnimal models of high,moderate and low dose aluminium exposure were established with AlCl₃ in the feed at daily content of 120, 12,and 1.2 mg/kg.Cognitive abilities were evaluated with step down test,Morris water maze(MWM)and passive avoidance test after 9 months'exposure.The expressions of brain β-APP and β-AP were detected with western-blot.ResultsStep down test latency and the number of errors was 205.00±30.09 seconds and 0.29±0.49 time for the mice in control group,and those of moderate and ghigh dose aluminium exposure group were 159.63±59.61,103.02±41.86s and 1.63±1.06,2.00±1.63 times,respectively.Compared with the control group,the incubation period decreased and the number of error increased significantly in exposure groups(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,β-APP,β-AP expressions were significantly increased in the mice with high dose aluminium exposure(P<0.05,P<0.01).ConclusionChronic aluminium exposure can lead to cognitive dysfunction in mice.The increased expression ofβ-APP andβ-AP may be an important mechanism.