Combined Exposure to Metals in Drinking Water Alters the Dopamine System in Mouse Striatum

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Daeun Lee¹  Haesoo Kim¹  Kisok Kim¹ 

[1] Collage of Pharmacy, Keimyung University, Daegu 42601, Korea;

关键词: arsenic;    lead;    cadmium;    motor coordination;    dopaminergic neurotransmission;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph18126558

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Environmental exposure to arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) frequently occurs; however, data on the specific effects of combined exposure on neurotransmission, specifically dopaminergic neurotransmission, are lacking. In this study, motor coordination and dopamine content, along with the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine transporter (DAT), vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2), and dopamine receptors (DRs), were examined in the striatum of adult male mice following exposure to drinking water containing As, Pb, and/or Cd. We found that exposure to a metal mixture impaired motor coordination. After 4 weeks of treatment, a significant decrease in dopamine content and expression of TH, DAT, and VMAT2 was observed in the striatum of metal-mixture-treated mice, compared to the controls or single-metal-exposed groups. However, DRD1 and DRD2 expression did not significantly change with metal treatment. These results suggest that altered dopaminergic neurotransmission by the collective action of metals may contribute to metal-mixture-induced neurobehavioral disorders.

【 授权许可】

Unknown