Neurohistological changes in the cerebellar cortex of adult Wistar rats following lead acetate induced cortical damage

This study investigated the neurohistological effect of lead acetate on cerebellar cortex of adult wistar rats. Lead is a common industrial poisonous substance that its prevalence in the environment exhibits toxic effect which makes different organs & tissues especially the central nervous system vulnerable to lead exposure. Lead is however, found useful applications in diverse items of daily needs like paints, water pipes, car batteries, leaded gasoline, ammunition, cosmetics, hair dye, airplanes, shielding for x-ray machines.

Thirty-six (36) adult wistar rats of both sexes weighing between 120-250 grams were randomly grouped into four groups. Group A, B, C and D each group containing seven (9) rats. Group A rats served as the control, and was maintained on standard feed and water for 28 days, group B, C and D rats were treated orally once daily with 0.09g/kg, 0.18g/kg and 0.2g/kg of lead acetate respectively for 28 days. The weights of the wistar rats were recorded on weekly basis during the treatment. All the wistar rats in group A, B, C and D were sacrificed by cervical dislocation on the 29th day of the treatment. The brain was removed and weighed with a sensitive balance and the cerebellum of each rats was then fixed in 10% formol saline, the tissue was processed and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin for histological study.

Results showed that the mean body weights of the wistar rats significantly decreased in the treated groups when compared with the control group. The mean brain weights of the lead treated groups showed a significant decrease when compared to the control group. Histological study of the brain (cerebellar cortex) of the treated groups demonstrated degenerative changes revealed shrinkage, reduced sized and cellular loss of the Purkinje cells with vacuolations in the Purkinje cell layer compared with normal cerebellar histoarchitecture in the control.

The study concluded that lead acetate has a neurotoxic effect on the cerebellar cortex of adult wistar rats which may ultimately impair some cerebellar functions.