Exposure to tolerable concentrations of aluminum triggers systemic and local oxidative stress and global proteomic modulation in the spinal cord of rats

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) 2023-02, Vol.313, p.137296, Article 137296
• Main Authors: Eiró-Quirino, Luciana, Lima, Weslley Ferreira de, Aragão, Walessa Alana Bragança, Bittencourt, Leonardo Oliveira, Mendes, Paulo Fernando Santos, Fernandes, Rafael Monteiro, Rodrigues, Caroline Azulay, Dionízio, Aline, Buzalaf, Marília Afonso Rabelo, Monteiro, Marta Chagas, Cirovic, Ana, Cirovic, Aleksandar, Puty, Bruna, Lima, Rafael Rodrigues
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aluminum; Aluminum - metabolism; Animals; Antioxidants - metabolism; Glutathione - metabolism; Humans; Lipid peroxidation; Metal; Neurotoxicity; Oxidative Stress; Proteomics; Rats; Spinal Cord - metabolism
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.137296

The tolerable aluminum (Al) intake levels for humans are constantly under review by regulatory agencies due to novel pre-clinical evidence on the neurotoxicity of prolonged Al exposure; however, little is known about the effects of Al on the spinal cord. This study aimed to investigate potential adverse effects on both spinal cord and systemic biochemical balance after prolonged exposure to a low dose of Al. Twenty adult rats were distributed in the control (distilled water) and exposed group (8.3 mg of AlCl3/kg/day). After 60 days, both blood and spinal cord samples were collected for oxidative stress and proteomic analyses. In plasma and erythrocytes, glutathione level was not different between groups; however, exposure to AlCl3 significantly decreased glutathione level in the spinal cord. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels in the plasma and spinal cord of animals from the control group were significantly lower than those animals exposed to AlCl3. Exposure to AlCl3 significantly modulated the expression of proteins associated with the cell cycle, stimulus-response, cytoskeleton, nervous system regulation, protein activity, and synaptic signaling. Therefore, prolonged exposure to a low dose of Al triggered oxidative stress and proteomic changes that may affect spinal cord homeostasis. [Display omitted] •Aluminium exposure promoted lipid peroxidation with repercussions on biochemical homeostasis in blood and spinal cord.•The proteomic profile of spinal cord was significantly altered after prolonged exposure to aluminum.•The ORA analysis identified proteins associated with important biological processes in CNS.