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Protective effects of dietary fibre against manganese-induced neurobehavioral aberrations in rats
Xiu-Quan Shi1, Wei Yan, Ke-Yue Wang
1Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Zunyi Medical College, Zunyi, China
Abstract:
We tested the hypothesis that dietary fibre (DF) has protective effects against manganese (Mn)-induced neurotoxicity. Forty-eight one-month old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups: control, 16 % DF, Mn (50 mg kg-1 body weight), Mn+ 4 % DF, Mn+ 8 % DF, and Mn+ 16 % DF. After oral administration of Mn (as MnCl2) by intragastric tube during one month, we determined Mn concentrations in the blood, liver, cerebral cortex, and stool and tested neurobehavioral functions. Administration of Mn was associated with increased Mn concentration in the blood, liver, and cerebral cortex and increased Mn excretion in the stool. Aberrations in neurobehavioral performance included increases in escape latency and number of errors and decrease in step-down latency. Irrespective of the applied dose, the addition of DF in forage decreased tissue Mn concentrations and increased Mn excretion rate in the stool by 20 % to 35 %. All neurobehavioral aberrations were also improved. Our findings show that oral exposure to Mn may cause neurobehavioral abnormalities in adult rats that could be efficiently alleviated by concomitant supplementation of DF in animal feed.
Insights
Dietary fibre (DF) protects against manganese (Mn) neurotoxicity. Supplementing feed with DF reduced Mn in tissues and improved neurobehavioral deficits in rats exposed to Mn.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Neuroscience
- Nutrition
Background:
- Manganese (Mn) exposure can lead to neurotoxicity.
- Dietary fibre (DF) may mitigate toxicant effects.
- The neuroprotective role of DF against Mn is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of dietary fibre (DF) against manganese (Mn)-induced neurotoxicity.
- To assess the impact of DF supplementation on Mn accumulation and neurobehavioral function in rats.
Main Methods:
- Forty-eight rats were divided into six groups: control, DF only, Mn only, and Mn with varying DF doses (4%, 8%, 16%).
- Mn was administered orally for one month.
- Mn levels in blood, liver, and brain were measured; neurobehavioral tests were conducted.
Main Results:
- Mn exposure increased Mn concentrations in blood, liver, and cerebral cortex, and impaired neurobehavior.
- DF supplementation significantly decreased Mn levels in tissues and increased fecal Mn excretion.
- All Mn-induced neurobehavioral deficits were ameliorated by DF supplementation.
Conclusions:
- Oral manganese exposure induces neurotoxicity and neurobehavioral abnormalities in rats.
- Dietary fibre effectively reduces Mn accumulation in tissues and mitigates Mn-induced neurotoxicity.
- DF supplementation is a viable strategy to alleviate manganese neurotoxicity.