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Effect of exposure to staphylococcus aureus, particulate matter, and their combination on the neurobehavioral
Fan Wang1, Fei Liu1, Haifang Liu2
1School of Biological Science, Luoyang Normal University, Luoyang 471022, China.
Abstract:
Neurotoxicity in Kunming mice caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Particulate matter (PM) as individual matter and mixtures was studied in this paper. Male Kunming mice were instilled intratracheally with PM at doses of 0.2mg/mouse and S. aureus at doses of 5.08×106 CFU/mouse as individual matter and mixtures two times at 5-day intervals. Morris water maze (MWM) test was performed during the exposure experiment. One day following the exposure experiment, the expression of neurotrophins, neurotransmitters, cholinergic system enzymes, oxidative damage levels, and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β) in the brain of mice were determined. Combined treatment of PM and S. aureus led to significant increment of escape latency at day 6, 8, and 10. Oxidative stress levels, and pro-inflammatory cytokines were affected significantly by S. aureus and PM as individual matter and mixtures. Meanwhile, Glu contents were increased significantly in S. aureus group, ChAT levels were decreased significantly in PM group, combined treatment of PM and S. aureus led to significant concentration reduction of AChE. Treatment of S. aureus or PM- S. aureus combination also led to significant concentration reduction of BDNF. Results showed that combined treatment of PM and S. aureus induced damage on physique and motor function, as well as impairment on learning and memory capacity of mice. Oxidative damage, abnormal metabolism of neurotransmitters and cholinergic system enzymes, and the alternation of neurotrophins and pro-inflammatory cytokines expression might be the possible mechanisms for PM - S. aureus -induced neurotoxicity.
Insights
Exposure to Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and particulate matter (PM) individually or combined impaired mice learning and memory. These pollutants caused neurotoxicity via oxidative damage and altered neurotransmitter levels.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
Background:
- Particulate matter (PM) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) are environmental and microbial threats.
- Understanding their combined neurotoxic effects is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neurotoxicity of PM and S. aureus, alone and in combination, in a mouse model.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of PM-S. aureus-induced neurotoxicity.
Main Methods:
- Male Kunming mice were intratracheally instilled with PM and/or S. aureus.
- Behavioral tests (Morris water maze) and neurochemical analyses (neurotrophins, neurotransmitters, oxidative stress, cytokines) were performed.
Main Results:
- Combined PM and S. aureus exposure significantly increased escape latency, indicating impaired learning and memory.
- Both individual and combined exposures affected oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory cytokines, neurotransmitters (glutamate, acetylcholine), and neurotrophins (BDNF).
Conclusions:
- Combined PM and S. aureus exposure induces significant neurotoxicity, affecting motor function, learning, and memory in mice.
- Mechanisms involve oxidative damage, altered neurotransmitter metabolism, and changes in neurotrophin and cytokine expression.

