A novel insight on chronic AlCl₃ neurotoxicity through IL-6 and GFAP expressions: Modulating effect of functional food fenugreek seeds

Abstract

Objective

This study was designed to review the effect of chronic aluminium exposure on interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion in the posterior brain and test the putative modulating effect of fenugreek seeds.

Methods

Female Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control; AlCl₃ during 5 months (500 mg/kg body weight, intragastric for 1 month then 1600 ppm via the drinking water); AlCl₃ plus fenugreek seed powder (FSP) (5%) during the last 2 months and FSP alone.

Results

Oral administration of aluminium chloride during 5 months caused hypoproduction of IL-6 together with a decrease in GFAP reactivity and an alteration of antioxidant status in the posterior brain. On the other hand, fenugreek seeds supplementation was able to enhance IL-6 expression, re-increase GFAP reactivity, and modulate the pro-oxidant-related effect.

Discussion

In the context of recent researches, IL-6 hypoproduction in the posterior brain could be a novel mechanism of Al chronic toxicity with a direct effect on glial cells. Using FSP as a diet supplement could offer a neuroprotective effect against Al toxicity. This could be mediated by astroglial cells protection, antioxidant and immunomodulatory actions.

Keywords:

• AlCl₃
• IL-6
• GFAP
• Fenugreek seeds
• Neuroprotection
• Alzheimer's disease

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the “Ministère Tunisien de l'Enseignement Supérieur, de la Recherche Scientifique et de la Technologie” for the financial support of this study. We wish to thank Mrs Intissar Toumi and Mrs Houda Ben Sghaier for excellent technical assistance with immunohistological preparation. Special thanks must also go to Dr Oussama Ayara for English proofreading.