Conclusions
Chronic pre- and neonatal exposure to Pb induces neuroinflammation in the forebrain cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum of rat pups.
Methods
Administration of 0.1% lead acetate (PbAc) in drinking water ad libitum, from the first day of gestation to postnatal day 21, resulted in blood Pb in rat pups reaching levels below the threshold considered safe for humans by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (10 µg/dL). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was used to determine the levels of interleukins IL-1β, IL-6, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2). Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR were used to determine the expression levels of cyclooxygenases COX-1 and COX-2. Finally, Western blot was used to determine the level of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB).
Results
In all studied brain structures (forebrain cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum), the administration of Pb caused a significant increase in all studied cytokines and prostanoids (IL-1β, IL-6, TGF-β, PGE2 and TXB2). The protein and mRNA expression of COX-1 and COX-2 increased in all studied brain structures, as did NF-κB expression. Conclusions: Chronic pre- and neonatal exposure to Pb induces neuroinflammation in the forebrain cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum of rat pups.