Effect of aluminium on Ca²⁺ concentration in cerebral cortex and hippocamp neurons

  Objective   To explore the dynamic effect of aluminium on the concentration of extracellular Ca²⁺ in the cerebral cortex and hippocamp neurons.

  Methods   Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups based on their body weight. Aluminium chloride was administrered by oral at doses of 248.7, 74.7, 37.3 and 0 mg/kg for 120 days successively.Fura-2/AM calcium ions fluorescence indicator was used to measure concentration on Day 45, 75, 120 and 30 after stopping Al³⁺ exposure.

  Results   248.7 and 74.7 mg/kg groups had higher concentration of extracellular Ca²⁺ than the control group and the 37.3 mg/kg group had no significant difference between the control group. And if stopping Al³⁺ exposure, the concentration would recover.

  Conclusion   Al³⁺ can show the neurotoxic effect by raising the concentration of extracellular Ca²⁺ in the cerebral cortex and hippocamp neurons.